SB Nation Chicago - Cubs Close Out Series With 8-2 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2012-05-13T16:30:14-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27788162012-05-13T16:30:14-05:002012-05-13T16:30:14-05:00Cubs Vs. Brewers Score Update: Chicago Closes Out Series With Win
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>A late offensive burst proved to be enough to help the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> put an end to their two-game losing streak and avoid a sweep at the hands of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a>. The Cubs scored in each of the last five innings, including five runs combined in the eighth and ninth to cruise to the 8-2 victory.</p>
<p><span>Tony Campana</span> continued his impressive series, hitting 3/5 and driving in a run in the victory. <span>Ian Stewart</span> and Reed Johnon each hit home runs to help the Cubs bounce back from a listless performance on Saturday.</p>
<p><span>Jeff Samardzija</span> was impressive on the mound, allowing only one earned run over five innings. Samardzija struck out six batters and lowered his ERA to 2.89. The Cubs took advantage of the Milwaukee bullpen, scoring five runs off the combo of <span>Manny Parra</span> and <span>Vinnie Chulk</span>.</p>
<p><i>For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at <a href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/">Beyond the Box Score</a>. Also, check out the team blogs <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/5/13/3018269/cubs-vs-brewers-score-update-chicago-closes-out-series-with-winMax Mandel2012-05-13T14:49:53-05:002012-05-13T14:49:53-05:00Cubs Vs. Brewers Score Update: Chicago Holds 2-1 Lead In The 6th Inning
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> have a 2-1 lead on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a> in the sixth inning thanks to home runs from <span>Ian Kennedy</span> and <span>Reed Johnson</span>. Johnson pinch-hit for Cubs starter <span>Jeff Samardzija</span> in the top of the sixth and promptly took Brewers starter Marco Estrada deep to give his team the lead.</p>
<p><i>Related: <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2012/5/13/3011455/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-brewers-sunday-5-13-1-10-ct">First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Sunday 5/13, 1:10 CT</a></i></p>
<p>Samardzija went five innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out six batters. The Brewers picked up their lone run of the game in the fourth inning on a sac fly by <span>Taylor Green</span>.</p>
<p>At the plate, the Cubs have a total of five hits; <span>David DeJesus</span>, <span>Starlin Castro</span> and <span>Tony Campana</span> have hits in addition to the solo shots from Johnson and Kennedy.</p>
<p><i>For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at <a href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/">Beyond the Box Score</a>. Also, check out the team blogs <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>.</i></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/5/13/3018089/cubs-vs-brewers-mlb-national-league-2012Steven Muma2012-05-13T10:38:12-05:002012-05-13T10:38:12-05:00Cubs Vs. Brewers: Sunday Preview, TV Info And More
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> are looking to rebound from losing their last two games against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a> and get back on the winning track in Sunday's head-to-head. After Saturday's victory for the Brewers, it extends Milwaukee's winning streak against the Cubs to 10 games. </p>
<p><span>Jeff Samardzija</span> will take the mound for Chicago Sunday, trying to avoid the sweep and give his team a little life against a squad that seems to have its number. The right-handed Samardzija, a 2006 draft selection by the Cubs, is 4-1 on the season with a 3.03 ERA. He'll face Milwaukee's <span>Marco Estrada</span>, who is 0-2 with a 4.5 ERA on the season. Here is a look at Sunday's lineups:</p>
<p><b>Cubs Starters:</b></p>
<p><span>David DeJesus</span> RF</p>
<p><span>Tony Campana</span> CF</p>
<p>Starlin Castro SS</p>
<p><span>Bryan LaHair</span> 1B</p>
<p><span>Alfonso Soriano</span> LF</p>
<p><span>Ian Stewart</span> 3B</p>
<p>Geovanny Soto C</p>
<p><span>Darwin Barney</span> 2B</p>
<p>Jeff Samardzija P </p>
<p><b>Brewers Starters:</b></p>
<p><span>Nyjer Morgan</span> CF</p>
<p><span>Jonathan Lucroy</span> C</p>
<p>Ryan Braun LF</p>
<p><span>Aramis Ramirez</span> 3B</p>
<p><span>Corey Hart</span> RF</p>
<p><span>Travis Ishikawa</span> 1B</p>
<p><span>Edwin Maysonet</span> 2B</p>
<p><span>Cesar Izturis</span> SS</p>
<p>Marco Estrada P</p>
<p>Here is a look at the schedule and broadcasting information for Sunday's game:</p>
<p>Date/Time: Sunday, May 13, 1:10 p.m. CT</p>
<p>TV: WGN, Fox Sports Wisconsin </p>
<p>Online Streaming: MLB.TV</p>
<p><i>For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a> with Rob Neyer. Also, check out the team blogs <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://brewcrewball.com">Brew Crew Ball</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/5/13/3017663/cubs-vs-brewers-sunday-preview-tv-infoBrandon Scott2012-05-12T15:07:29-05:002012-05-12T15:07:29-05:00Cubs Vs. Brewers Score Update: Chicago Falls Again
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After dropping a 13-inning thriller to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a> on Friday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> came out with a flat performance on Saturday and fell 8-2 at Miller Park. The Cubs will look back at the 6th inning as when the game got away, as the Brewers scored five runs to break open a 1-1 tie.</p>
<p>The Cubs had no answer for <span>Shaun Marcum</span>, who cruised through seven innings, allowing only one earned run and striking out six batters. <span>Chris Volstad</span> pitched well for the Cubs through the first five innings, but fell apart in the sixth. Volstad allowed nine hits and six earned runs in the loss.</p>
<p>It was the bat of <span>Edwin Maysonet</span> that changed this game, as his grand slam in the sixth gave the Brewers a comfortable lead that they would never relinquish. <span>Tony Campana</span> was the only Cub to have success at the plate, driving in a run and hitting 2/4.</p>
<p><i>For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at <a href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/">Beyond the Box Score</a>. Also, check out the team blogs <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/5/12/3016511/cubs-vs-brewers-score-update-chicago-falls-againMax Mandel2012-05-12T11:54:11-05:002012-05-12T11:54:11-05:00John Axford's Letter To Media At Cubs Vs. Brewers Game On Friday Is Awesome
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>On Friday night, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a> knocked off the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> in 13 innings, but the game had plenty of competition for the most interesting event of the night. Especially for Milwaukee Brewers closer <span>John Axford</span>. He gave up three runs in the ninth inning to extend the game -- which also broke his 49-game consecutive saves streak -- but he couldn't stick around after the game and talk about it. That's right, Axford skipped out on the post-game press conference.</p>
<p>As it turns out, he had a terrific excuse. Axford's pregnant wife started having contractions, so Axford had to leave ASAP to get to hospital, and he was kind enough to leave a note behind for the media, complete with a brilliant sign-off: "cliche...cliche...another cliche. Gotta go!" Here is an image of the letter, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/jordanschelling/status/201183094215147521/photo/1">via @JordanSchelling</a>:</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1114538/Axford_Letter.jpg-large.jpg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1114538/Axford_Letter.jpg-large_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Axford_letter"></a> <br id="1336841547873"></p>
<p><i>For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at <a href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/">Beyond the Box Score</a>. Also, check out the team blogs <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/5/12/3016224/john-axford-letter-to-media-cubs-vs-brewers-fridaySteve von Horn2012-05-12T10:33:07-05:002012-05-12T10:33:07-05:00Cubs Vs. Brewers: Lineups, Starters, TV Time And More For Saturday
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a> meet up on Saturday afternoon for the second game of their weekend series at Miller Park, and both teams will be without some big names. The Cubs placed embattled reliever <span>Carlos Marmol</span> on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with a strained hamstring, while the Brewers are holding <span>Rickie Weeks</span> out of the lineup after he was hit on the left hand by a pitch from Chicago's Lendy Castillo in the bottom of the 13th on Friday -- X-rays were negative. </p>
<p><span>Chris Volstad</span> (0-4, 6.55 ERA) takes the mound for the Cubs, while the Brewers will lean on <span>Shaun Marcum</span> (1-1, 3.41 ERA). Here are the lineups for both teams:</p>
<h4><u>Cubs Starting Lineup (5/12)</u></h4>
<p><span>David DeJesus</span> RF<br><br><span>Tony Campana</span> CF<br><br>Starlin Castro SS<br><br><span>Bryan LaHair</span> 1B<br><br><span>Alfonso Soriano</span> LF<br><br><span>Ian Stewart</span> 3B<br><br>Geovanny Soto C<br><br><span>Darwin Barney</span> 2B<br><br>Chris Volstad P </p>
<p> </p>
<h4><u>Brewers Starting Lineup (5/12)</u></h4>
<p><span>Nyjer Morgan</span> CF</p>
<p><span>Jonathan Lucroy</span> C</p>
<p>Ryan Braun LF</p>
<p><span>Aramis Ramirez</span> 3B</p>
<p><span>Corey Hart</span> RF</p>
<p><span>Travis Ishikawa</span> 1B</p>
<p><span>Edwin Maysonet</span> 2B</p>
<p><span>Cesar Izturis</span> SS</p>
<p>Shaun Marcum P</p>
<p>Here is the broadcast information:</p>
<p><b>Game Date & Time</b>: Saturday, May 12, 12:05 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: FOX (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.the506.com/mlbmaps/">click here for regional coverage map</a>)</p>
<p><i>For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at <a href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/">Beyond the Box Score</a>. Also, check out the team blogs <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/5/12/3016105/rickie-weeks-brewers-vs-cubs-lineups-starters-tv-timeSteve von Horn2012-05-12T10:13:52-05:002012-05-12T10:13:52-05:00Cubs P Carlos Marmol Placed On 15-Day DL, Casey Coleman Recalled From Triple-A Iowa
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> relief pitcher <span>Carlos Marmol</span> has been anything but impressive in 2012, but things managed to get worse on Friday when he suffered a hamstring injury during the Cubs' 8-7 extra-innings loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/bleedcubbieblue/status/201308188958658560" target="_blank">The team scheduled him for an MRI</a>, and on Saturday the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-cubs-call-up-coleman-to-replace-marmol-20120512,0,7367243.story" target="_blank">Cubs placed Marmol on the 15-day disabled list</a> and recalled RHP <span>Casey Coleman</span> from Triple-A Iowa to take his place in the bullpen, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. </p>
<p>The bullpen has become something of a skeleton crew of unpredictable pitchers, so the Cubs needed to add an additional healthy arm to fit in with semi-reliable regulars like <span>Shawn Camp</span>, <span>James Russell</span> and <span>Rafael Dolis</span>. Chicago is certainly hoping Coleman can be more like that trio than Marmol, <span>Kerry Wood</span> or <span>Lendy Castillo</span>. </p>
<p>Coleman is a 24-year-old pitcher selected by the Cubs in the 15th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft, and he amassed a 3.48 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 16 walks over 33.2 innings at Triple-A Iowa this season.</p>
<p><i>For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at <a href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/">Beyond the Box Score</a>. Also, check out the team blogs <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/5/12/3016071/carlos-marmol-dl-cubs-casey-coleman-iowaSteve von Horn2012-05-12T09:21:03-05:002012-05-12T09:21:03-05:00Cubs Vs. Brewers Preview: With Bullpen Ailing, Cubs Need Strong Start From Chris Volstad
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> lost a heart-breaker in 13 innings on Friday night, and reliever <span>Carlos Marmol</span> left with a hamstring injury, so now Chicago could really use a strong start from struggling pitcher <span>Chris Volstad</span> (0-4, 6.55 ERA) to get back on track in the second game of their weekend series with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a>. <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=320512108" target="_blank">As noted by STATS, LLC</a>, opponents are batting .203 against Volstad when the bases are empty, but he has struggled out of the stretch, as opponents are hitting .362 with a runner on base and .424 with someone in scoring position. </p>
<p>Volstad hopes to take advantage of a struggling Brewers offense that ranks No. 17 in runs scored (131), No. 26 in batting average (.232), No. 20 in on-base percentage and No. 12 in slugging percentage (.405).</p>
<p>As for the Cubs' offense, <span>Starlin Castro</span> will try to extend his 10-game hitting streak on Saturday against Milwaukee starter <span>Shaun Marcum</span> (1-1, 3.41 ERA), who has lost his last five starts. </p>
<p><b>Game Date & Time</b>: Saturday, May 12, 12:05 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: FOX (<a href="http://www.the506.com/mlbmaps/" target="_blank">click here for regional coverage map</a>)</p>
<p><i>For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at <a href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/">Beyond the Box Score</a>. Also, check out the team blogs <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/5/12/3015982/brewers-vs-cubs-preview-starlin-castro-hitting-streakSteve von Horn