SB Nation Chicago - Cubs Vs. Nationals: Chicago Loses Again, 9-2https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2012-09-07T20:51:20-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30532252012-09-07T20:51:20-05:002012-09-07T20:51:20-05:00Cubs Manager Dale Sveum Didn't Have Problem With Initial Incident In Brawl
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> had two bench-clearing incidents in Thursday's series finale, the first of which started when Cubs bench coach Jamie Quirk yelled at Nationals third base coach Bo Porter for what he perceived to be overly aggressive baserunning with the Nats leading 5-0 in the fifth inning.</p>
<p>Cubs manager Dale Sveum, though, wasn't upset with the Nationals <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/13376/cubs-not-in-complete-agreement-over-spat">according to ESPN Chicago's Doug Padilla</a>:</p>
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<p>"I didn’t have any problem with it," Sveum said of the Nationals’ play. "It was the fifth inning. It was as if they were up 5-0 in the fifth inning. I don’t expect my team to stop playing in the fifth inning. There is a time when you stop. I mean a five-run lead, to me, I didn’t have any problem with anything they did." <br> <br>So was Quirk out of line? <br> <br>"You have to talk to Jamie about that," Quirk said. "But me personally I don’t want my guys to stop playing at that time."</p>
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<p>Padilla said Quirk has been unavailable to comment on the incident the past two days.</p>
<p><i>For more on this series, check out Cubs blog <a href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com/"><b>Bleed Cubbie Blue</b></a> and Washington Nationals blog <a href="http://federalbaseball.com/"><b>Federal Baseball</b></a>. Follow <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/7/3302050/chicago-cubs-manager-dale-sveum-didnt-have-problem-with-initialPatrick Hayes2012-09-07T08:00:57-05:002012-09-07T08:00:57-05:00Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo Says Bryce Harper 'Plays The Game The Right Way'
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> have had a very tough time recently. They dropped Thursday's game against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a>, which sealed them on the losing end of a four-game sweep and put them into a six-game losing streak overall. They allowed 31 runs over the four games against Washington, and a big part of that was 19-year-old <span>Bryce Harper</span>.</p>
<p>Harper had a triple and reached base on his second at-bat on Thursday and he had two homers in the first three games of the series. He also was part of the bench-clearing incident on Thursday, when <span>Lendy Castillo</span> almost hit Harper with a pitch. Harper yelled at him and both benches cleared.</p>
<p>One Cubs player doesn't think Harper was out of line. <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> first said that Castillo wasn't trying to hit Harper, but said he understood what Harper was feeling, according to a piece from the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0907-bits-cubs-nationals-chicago--20120907,0,3761584.story">Chicago Tribune</a>:</p>
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<p>"I don't think he was over the top at all," he said. "Things escalated. Bryce, it wasn't like he was running his mouth or saying anything.<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>"He plays this game the right way. He plays hard. He's real exciting to watch. Playing against him, you have to contain him."</p>
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<p>The second half of that is very complimentary at this point, especially considering the whole four-game sweep thing. It's all true though: Harper is a very good player and he's only 19 years old. There's no shame in a guy like him beating up on your starting pitching. It's also good to see honesty coming from Cubs players and their ability to recognize a guy with a lot of talent on the upswing.</p>
<p><i>For more on this series, check out Cubs blog <b><a href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>. </b>Follow <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a>for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/7/3300110/cubs-vs-nationals-anthony-rizzo-bryce-harperJames Brady2012-09-07T07:20:38-05:002012-09-07T07:20:38-05:00Cubs 3B Josh Vitters Struggles With Adjustment To Majors
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<p>Heading into Thursday's game against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a>, <span>Josh Vitters</span> of the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> was batting a paltry .076 with a.127 on-base percentage and a .152 slugging percentage. He's had 66 at-bats and the only stat worth smiling at this point is the fact that he's got three extra-base hits, which isn't saying much at all. It's a disappointing start to a major league career after such a solid Triple-A season.</p>
<p>ESPN's Doug Padilla took a look at Vitters and his performance thus far. He had a quote from manager Dale Sveum that doesn't speak to a lot of confidence in Vitters. He was asked if he is seeing enough from Vitters' approach at the plate:</p>
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<p>"I think it's like anything, adjustments have to be applied in the game," Sveum said. "We can do all the batting practice and teaching all we want, but if it isn't applied in the game.</p>
<p>"That's where you have to start evaluating. Can people apply it and make adjustments on the fly in a game?"</p>
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<p>What's clear is that Vitters will have some changes to make to his game. He can't continue with the same approach to the plate and just hope it works. If the big game is going to click for him, he'll likely need to make it click. The piece also has a quote from Vitters though, where he says he's not going to let it get the best of him, so it's a good sign that he's confident in his own ability. Only time will tell if his confidence is enough to get him to the next level.</p>
<p><i>For more on this series, check out Cubs blog <b><a href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>. </b>Follow <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/7/3300052/chicago-cubs-josh-vitters-stats-majorsJames Brady2012-09-06T21:41:05-05:002012-09-06T21:41:05-05:00Cubs Vs. Nationals Final Score: Chicago Loses 9-2
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> lost 9-2 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> on Thursday night, dropping their sixth consecutive game of the season. It's been an abysmal stretch for the team, which has won just eight times over its past 36 games since July 30.</p>
<p>The Cubs' pitchers struggled badly once again, allowing nine or more runs for the third straight game. <span>Jordan Zimmermann</span> was superb for Washington, though, allowing two runs and striking out nine over seven innings of work.</p>
<p>Thursday's game was highlighted by <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/6/3299213/cubs-nationals-fight-benches-clear/in/3053225">a pair of bench-clearing incidents</a> during the middle of the game. The Cubs saw catcher <span>Steve Clevenger</span> and coach Jamie Quirk get ejected, but nobody from the Nationals was forced to leave the game.</p>
<p><span>Anthony Rizzo</span> and <span>Starlin Castro</span> combined for five hits, including a homer by the first baseman and a pair of extra-base knocks by the shortstop, but Zimmermann did a good job of spreading out the hits that he did allow. <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> led the Nationals with three hits, including a three-run homer.</p>
<p><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;">For more on this series, check out Cubs blog <a href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com/"><b>Bleed Cubbie Blue</b></a> and Washington Nationals blog <a href="http://federalbaseball.com/"><b>Federal Baseball</b></a>. Follow <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/6/3299390/cubs-nationals-score-update-mlb-2012Satchel Price2012-09-06T20:31:19-05:002012-09-06T20:31:19-05:00Cubs Vs. Nationals: Benches Clear, Punches Thrown During 2 Separate Incidents
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> have gotten a bit testy during Thursday night's series finale in D.C., becoming involved in two separate on-field incidents involving bench clearing. Cubs catcher <span>Steve Clevenger</span> and Cubs coach Jamie Quirk have already been ejected from the game.</p>
<p>As Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune notes, things began when Quirk got into an argument with Nationals coach Bo Porter:</p>
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<p>A bench clearing dispute ignited by Quirk and Nats coach Bo Porter. No punches thrown but Porter came to dugout to pontificate.</p>
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) <a data-datetime="2012-09-07T00:47:08+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/PWSullivan/status/243872998174638081">September 7, 2012</a>
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<p>Porter wasn't ejected, but things would again get heated minutes later. After Lendy Castillo threw at <span>Bryce Harper</span>, another bench-clearing incident ensued involving Clevenger and other Nationals players, during which Clevenger threw punches:</p>
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<p>Another brouhaha with punches thrown this time after Castillo threw at Harper. Werth, Rizzo and many others involved.</p>
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) <a data-datetime="2012-09-07T01:02:45+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/PWSullivan/status/243876930447872000">September 7, 2012</a>
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<p>The Cubs have brought in <span>Welington Castillo</span> to take over at catcher for Clevenger. The Nationals are leading 9-2 in the seventh inning as they look for a sweep.</p>
<p><i>For more on this series, check out Cubs blog <a href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com/"><b>Bleed Cubbie Blue</b></a> and Washington Nationals blog <a href="http://federalbaseball.com/"><b>Federal Baseball</b></a>. Follow <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a> for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/6/3299213/cubs-nationals-fight-benches-clearSatchel Price2012-09-06T10:58:30-05:002012-09-06T10:58:30-05:00Cubs Vs. Nationals Preview: Chicago Tries To Avoid Sweep On Thursday
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> will try to stop the bleeding on Thursday night in their series finale against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a>, but it won't be easy. The Cubs have dropped five straight games and eight of their last 10, but on Thursday they get a chance to avoid being swept for the first time since Aug. 6-8 against <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Padres</a>.</p>
<p>They've still got a long way to go and aren't in playoff contention at this point, but avoiding the sweep is a great start to get it all back on track. They've actually got an easier stretch of schedule coming up after this point, but they'd really like to head into Pittsburgh not riding a six-game losing streak.</p>
<p><span>Justin Germano</span> (2-5, 6.30 ERA) will take the mound for Chicago, while the Nats plan to counter with <span>Jordan Zimmermann</span> (9-8, 3.01 ERA). Germano is coming off a loss in his most recent outing, giving up five earned runs over five innings of pitching, while Zimmerman allowed a whopping eight runs over three-plus innings, but was given a no decision thanks to his run support.</p>
<p><b>Game time: </b>6:05 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>CSN</p>
<p><i>For more on this series, check out Cubs blog <a href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and Washington Nationals blog <a href="http://federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>. Follow <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/6/3297790/nationals-vs-cubs-preview-jordan-zimmermannSteve von Horn2012-09-06T10:42:59-05:002012-09-06T10:42:59-05:00Adam Greenberg Isn't Giving Up Dream Of Again Reaching Majors
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<p>Former <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> outfielder <span>Adam Greenberg</span> has a film and website partially devoted to <a href="http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/8341644/former-chicago-cubs-adam-greenberg-attempting-unlikely-comeback">his attempted comeback</a>. Greenberg was given his first, and only, MLB plate appearance on July 9, 2005, when he was hit in the head by a Valerio de los Santos pitch. As a result, Greenberg suffered from vertigo and never recorded an official at-bat. He later had stints in the minors for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>, <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a>, and <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a> but never returned to the majors.</p>
<p>Greenberg hasn't played affiliated baseball since 2008 but is hoping for another shot. After three years with the independent league Bridgeport Bluefish, he is taking this year off, but is going to play for Team Israel as they attempt to qualify for the World Baseball Classic.</p>
<p>Greenberg's story is highlighted by Matt Liston, producer of the ESPN "30 for 30" film "Catching Hell," who has started a campaign called "One At-Bat," attempting to get Greenberg an at-bat in the Cubs' final series of the season.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cubs be sure to visit <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/6/3297734/cubs-adam-greenberg-comebackJeff Briggs2012-09-06T10:24:28-05:002012-09-06T10:24:28-05:00Cubs Manager Dale Sveum On Nationals: 'Men Playing Against Boys'
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<p><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> manager Dale Sveum didn't mince words when <a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago-cubs/cubs-talk/Nationals-vs-Cubs-Men-playing-against-bo?blockID=768595&feedID=661&awid=8137507465295943142-914">describing his team's series</a> against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a>.</p>
<p>"That's just men playing against boys right now," Sveum said following the Nationals 9-1 victory over the Cubs on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The Cubs haven't been able to hang with the Nationals all series, which is a reflection of the season for both teams. The Nationals currently have the best record in baseball at 84-52, while the Cubs have the second-worse record in the majors at 51-85.</p>
<p>Wednesday's game was the second straight in which the Nationals hit six home runs against the Cubs after topping Chicago, 11-5, on Tuesday night. Sveum was ejected during Wednesday's game, screaming at umpire Larry Vanover in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Cubs look to get their first win in the series on Thursday night after dropping the last three against the Nationals.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cubs; check out <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>. For additional MLB coverage head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/6/3297416/cubs-nationals-dale-sveumJeff Briggs