The Chicago Cubs continue to struggle scoring runs in Petco Park this week, trailing 1-0 to the San Diego Padres through six innings on Wednesday. In 24 total innings during the three-game series thus far, the Cubs have scored just four runs total, so it's not surprising that they're looking to avoid a sweep right now.
Jeff Samardzija has pitched well for Chicago so far as he works to turn his season around, allowing just one run on two hits with five strikeouts over six innings. San Diego's Clayton Richard has been slightly better, though, allowing four hits over six shutout innings.
The Cubs have gotten little offense so far, although Starlin Castro got his first hit in days against Richard in the fifth inning and Alfonso Soriano has gotten on base twice, once by walk and once by hit-by-pitch. Will Venable has been the engine behind San Diego, as he's 1-for-1 with an RBI double and a walk.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball. For more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.