SB Nation Chicago - Reds Vs. Cubs: Chicago Falls 4-3 On Sunday, Drops Series To Cincinnati

Reds Vs. Cubs: Cubs Lose Game 3 By A Score Of 4-3, Drop Series To Reds

2012-04-22T21:45:50Z

The Chicago Cubs were unable to come back after the Cincinatti Reds broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning, losing the rubber match of the three game series. The final result was Reds four, Cubs three in a game characterized by numerous missed chances on both sides. The Reds left 13 men on base to the Cubs 12, but ultimately the Reds were able to capitalize where the Cubs were not.

A leadoff walk in the sixth was the beginning of the trouble for the Cubs, who compounded things with two straight errors by Geovany Soto on two straight sacrifice bunts. That left the bases loaded with no outs. Drew Stubbs was up next, grounding into a fielder's choice, and the Reds were able to score a run while the Cubs failed to turn two. The Cubs brought in Scott Maine to pitch, and he picked up the first out, striking out Joey Votto. He was not so successful with the next two batters, hitting Ryan Ludwick with a pitch, loading the bases again, and walking Jay Bruce to send in a run. Maine then struck out Scott Rolen to end the inning, and the Cubs entered the bottom of the sixth trailing 4-2.

The Cubs failed to pick up another hit until the bottom of the ninth, where they faced fomer Cub Sean Marshall. Starlin Castro led the inning off with a triple to right-center. Steve Clevenger struck out looking, and pinch hitter Jeff Baker managed to score Castro when he grounded out to shortstop. With two outs, Ian Stewart was unable to keep the Cubs alive and he struck out looking.

The Cubs dropped two of three to the Reds and stand at -12, remaining in the basement of the NL Central standings. They'll have their work cut out for them going forward, as tomorrow begins a three game series with the division leading St. Louis Cardinals.

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Reds Vs. Cubs Score Update: Chicago Trails 4-2 After Six Innings

2012-04-22T20:27:33Z

The Chicago Cubs are trailing 4-2 to the Cincinnati Reds after six innings of play at Wrigley Field on Sunday afternoon. On a chilly day on the North Side, the Cubs have been able to keep things close in an error-filled game despite allowing the Reds to get runners on base in nearly every inning.

In the first inning, Cincinnati had the bases loaded with just one out, but failed to score after both Jay Bruce and Scott Rolen struck out in back-to-back at-bats to end the threat. After getting a pair of runs in the third inning, the Reds had another big chance in the fourth with two men on and just one out but couldn't take advantage.

The Reds have just kept coming, though. After a silent fifth inning, the Reds took advantage of a pair of errors by Cubs catcher Geovany Soto to load the bases with zero outs. And yet, once again, the Cubs managed to get out of the jam relatively okay, allowing just two runs.

So even though you could say that Cincinnati has had major opportunities in four of its first six innings, the Cubs trail by just two with three frames to go.

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Cubs Line Up: Campana, DeWitt In Line Up Vs. Reds

2012-04-22T15:44:42Z

The Chicago Cubs' line up on Sunday looks much like it has for the series vs. the Cincinnati Reds, but with two changes, one of which is major, while the other is minor. The minor change has utility man Blake DeWitt at second base, which gives usual starter Darwin Barney the day off. The major change involves the centerfield position, which is now vacated with the trade of Marlon Byrd.

In center today is Tony Campana, who only returned to the active roster on Saturday. It's thought that the Cubs will go centerfield by committee for the indefinite future, and with a righty in Johnny Cueto on the hill today, the left handed Campana gets the call.

Here's the Cubs full line up for Sunday's game:

David DeJesus, RF
Tony Campana, CF
Starlin Castro, SS
Bryan LaHair, 1B
Alfonso Soriano, LF
Ian Stewart, 3B
Geovany Soto, C
Blake DeWitt, 2B
Randy Wells, P

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Cubs Vs. Reds: Randy Wells Returns As Cubs Look To Take Series

2012-04-22T14:50:27Z

When Randy Wells failed to make the Chicago Cubs out of Spring Training, the front office said that they needed him stretched out in Triple-A and ready to come up to the big leagues at any moment to make a start. Well, it took a little more than two weeks for that contingency plan to be put into action, as Ryan Dempster's move to the disabled list opened up a spot for Wells, who will make the start on Sunday vs. the Cincinnati Reds.

The start isn't unimportant, either, as the Cubs will have a chance to secure their first series win of 2012 after they defeated the Reds yesterday by the score of 6-1. Wells made 23 starts for the Cubs last year but had a hard time finding his form, posting a 4.99 ERA while giving up 23 homers. He'll be opposed by Johnny Cueto, who has been stellar so far in 2012, giving up only four earned runs in 19 innings to go along with 12 strikeouts.

Game date/time: Sunday, April 22, 1:20 p.m. CT

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.

TV: WGN

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Marlon Byrd Trade: Cubs Send Outfielder To Boston Red Sox

2012-04-21T21:59:23Z

This morning, rumors spread that the Chicago Cubs were close to trading struggling outfielder Marlon Byrd to the Boston Red Sox. After Chicago snapped its six-game losing streak on Saturday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds, word came down that the trade is official, at least according to Bruce Levine of ESPN.

Marlon Byrd confirms he has been traded to Boston. Deal will beannounced after Bostongame.
— Bruce Levine (@ESPNBruceLevine) April 21, 2012

Byrd has been off to a horrendous start for Chicago, going 3-for-41 at the plate, good for a .070 average. Byrd also has two RBI and one run scored on the season.

Compensation coming back to the Cubs remains unknown at the time, though Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports said earlier in the day that Michael Bowden -- a product of Waubonsie Valley High School -- could be on his way to Chicago.

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Marlon Byrd Trade Rumors: Red Sox Pitcher Michael Bowden Could Return To Chicago

2012-04-21T20:21:44Z

We learned on Saturday that the Chicago Cubs were close to dealing struggling outfielder Marlon Byrd to the Boston Red Sox. While the deal has yet to be complete, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports speculates that reliever and Illinois native Michael Bowden could be headed to the Cubs.

Source: Byrd deal remains probable. Timing issues remain. #Cubs likely to pay most of Byrd's remaining $6.5M. Bowden in play from #RedSox.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 21, 2012

Bowden attended Waubonsie Valley High School before being selected in the first round of the 2005 MLB draft. Bowden has pitched in two games for Boston this season, with the most recent being April 10 against Toronto.

Reds Vs. Cubs Final Score: Big 2nd Inning Lifts Chicago To 6-1 Victory

2012-04-21T20:02:28Z

The Chicago Cubs got out to a 5-1 lead against the Cincinnati Reds by the end of the second inning on Saturday afternoon, and used the early offensive firepower to key a 6-1 victory at Wrigley Field. The win snaps the North Siders' six-game losing streak and improves the team to 4-11. The Reds fall to 6-9.

Darwin Barney and catcher Steve Clevenger each finished with three hits for the Cubs. Barney drove in one of four second inning runs by doubling to left to score David DeJesus. Clevenger plated the Cubs' seventh inning run with a single to right.

Paul Maholm allowed four hits, three walks and just one run for the Cubs over six innings.

Reds Vs. Cubs Score Update: Chicago Leads 5-1 In Bottom Of The 6th

2012-04-21T18:49:23Z

The Chicago Cubs suffered a frustrating loss on Friday afternoon to the Cincinnati Reds, but early returns have been promising for the second game of the series on Saturday. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the North Siders told a 5-1 lead on the Reds.

Starter Paul Maholm has been brilliant so going, going six innings and allowing only four hits, one earned run and three walks while striking out five. Maholm got the Reds to strand a pair of runners in the top of the sixth. He remains in the game to this point.

The Cubs scored one in the first inning and four in the second to build the early lead. Starlin Castro -- who committed his sixth error of the season earlier in the game -- highlighted the second with an RBI triple. Castro is among four Chicago hitters who already have two hits today.