SB Nation Chicago - Cubs Vs. Pirates: Chicago Sweeps Pittsburgh Over 3-Game Serieshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2012-09-10T11:34:20-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30662582012-09-10T11:34:20-05:002012-09-10T11:34:20-05:00Albert Almora, Jorge Soler Face High Expectations Within Chicago Cubs Organization
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<p>There's a lot to be said about being the measuring stick for an entire administration. On most occasions, a new team president or manager will be judged by the first big move or the first big acquisition. For Theo Epstein and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>, the measuring stick will be the headline acquisitions of Albert Almora and <span>Jorge Soler</span>.</p>
<p>Both of them are hot prospects, with Soler being 20 years old and Almora being only 18 years old. One came in via the No. 6 overall pick in the June MLB draft, while the other came from Cuba last year and immediately signed a nine-year contract with the Cubs. <a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago-cubs/cubs-talk/Cubs-lining-up-Almora-and-Soler-as-build?blockID=770555&feedID=10336&awid=8931763042104395408-914" target="_blank">Comcast SportsNet Chicago's</a> Patrick Mooney wrote about the two and how they're linked together.</p>
<p>His piece talks about how the two are developing, and how they both show a lot of promise for the Cubs, from their desire to be making plays (Almora smashing into a wall to make a play on Saturday, etc.). The clear hope from the Cubs organization is that these two will be making plays together on the field in the near future, and there's a solid chance that will happen. Be sure to check out the piece for some more background on the two of them.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cubs, visit <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>.<b> </b>For more news, notes and analysis from around MLB, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/10/3308079/albert-almora-jorge-soler-cubsJames Brady2012-09-09T16:48:02-05:002012-09-09T16:48:02-05:00Cubs Vs. Pirates Final Score: Chicago Pulls Off Sweep Of Pittsburgh With 4-2 Win
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<p>Chicago kept its September momentum going strong on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park, as the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a> used an eighth inning rally to take down the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>, 4-2.</p>
<p>Cubs outfielder <span>Alfonso Soriano</span> stepped to the plate in the top of the eighth inning without a hit in the game, but proceeded to smash his 28th home run of the season with a two-run shot to deep center field. Soriano wrapped up the series with three homers in three games, and has now blasted five in the month of September.</p>
<p>Despite registering a blown save in the seventh inning, Cubs reliever James Russell earned the victory to reach 7-1 on the year after Soriano's big hit bailed him out. Hopeful to turn this winning streak into a multi-series venture, Chicago will turn to <span>Chris Volstad</span> on Monday to kick off a three-game set with Houston.</p>
<p><i>Be sure to visit <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> for more Cubs news, and check out <a href="http://www.bucsdugout.com">Bucs Dugout</a> for more on the Pirates. Also head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a> for more coverage from around the league.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/9/3306189/cubs-vs-pirates-final-score-chicago-pittsburgh-series-recapDave Ryan2012-09-09T08:57:36-05:002012-09-09T08:57:36-05:00Cubs Vs. Pirates Game Preview: Chicago Goes For First Road Sweep Of 2012
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> are steadily hurting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>' playoff hopes this weekend and look to continue their spoiler effort Sunday at PNC Park.</p>
<p>Chicago has been dreadful on the road in 2012, going 19-52, and Sunday could mark their first road sweep of the season. <span>Chris Rusin</span> (0-2, 9.00) takes the mound for the Cubs in his third Major League start. Rusin pitched well in his Aug. 21 debut allowing only one run on one hit in five innings, but was shelled in his follow-up start Sept. 4 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> when he allowed five runs in only one inning.</p>
<p><span>Jeff Locke</span> (0-1, 4.82) starts for Pittsburgh. Locke, a left-hander, has spent most of his career in the minors but was recalled by the Pirates in August. He pitched two scoreless relief appearances and in one start, he allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings in a loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a>.</p>
<p><span>Alfonso Soriano</span> continued his impressive 2012 campaign Saturday with his 27th home run of the year. He is batting .260 with 92 RBI.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cubs, visit <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>. All your Pirates news can be found on <b><a href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/" target="_blank">Bucs Dugout.</a> </b>For more news, notes and analysis from around MLB, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/9/3304967/cubs-vs-pirates-game-previewJack Cassidy2012-09-08T21:10:30-05:002012-09-08T21:10:30-05:00Cubs Vs. Pirates Final Score: Cubs Grind Out 4-3 Victory Over Pittsburgh
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<p>Jeff Samardjzia went the distance for the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> as they defeated the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> 4-3 on Saturday night. The former Notre Dame football standout struck out nine, allowing only four hits and walking a single batter as he went the distance in this one.</p>
<p>A <span>Pedro Alvarez</span> two-run double put the Pirates out in front in the first inning, but Samardjzia would settle down after that. The Cubs would get themselves on the board in the second with an <span>Alfonso Soriano</span> solo homerun. <span>Tony Campana</span> would then even the score in the third when he scored as <span>Luis Valbuena</span> grounded into a double play.</p>
<p>The Cubs would go ahead in the fifth as Campana scored for the second time. This time he doubled, stole third, and then scored on a Luis Valbuena sacrifice fly. <span>Jeff Clement</span> would level the score for the Pirates in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cubs would quickly regain the lead in the eighth as <span>David DeJesus</span> singled in Wellington Castillo.</p>
<p>The Cubs and Pirates will take the field again tomorrow at 12:35 a.m. CT with <span>Chris Rusin</span> scheduled to go for the Cubs. He'll be opposed by <span>Jeff Locke</span> of the Pirates.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on the Cubs, visit <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>. All your Pirates news can be found on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/"><b>Bucs Dugout.</b></a>For more news, notes and analysis from around MLB, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/8/3304123/cubs-vs-pirates-final-score-chicago-defeat-pittsburghStephen Schmidt2012-09-08T11:10:23-05:002012-09-08T11:10:23-05:00Cubs Vs. Pirates Game Preview: Samardzija Throws For Cubs Against McDonald
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> are in an opportunistic position to stave off a possible 100-loss season.</p>
<p>Opportunistic in the sense Saturday's opponent, the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>, are slumping. The Pirates have lost 18 of their last 27 games after being poised to make the post-season for the first time since 1992.</p>
<p>The Cubs put a 12-2 drubbing on the Pirates in the first of their three game set in Pittsburgh Friday. The Pirates committed seven errors in the loss, just one day after finishing off Houston for the Buccos' second consecutive win.</p>
<p>Chicago will start <span>Jeff Samardzija</span> for the final time this season, having announced he won't pitch again after today's start. He's 8-13 this season with a 3.91 ERA and also owns the lowest run support among starters in MLB, getting 3.15 runs per game.</p>
<p>First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on the Cubs, visit <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>. All your Pirates news can be found on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/"><b>Bucs Dugout.</b></a>For more news, notes and analysis from around MLB, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/8/3303044/cubs-vs-pirates-game-previewNeal Coolong2012-09-08T07:01:51-05:002012-09-08T07:01:51-05:00Brett Jackson Injury: Cubs CF Okay After Flying Into Wall
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<p><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> CF <span>Brett Jackson</span> told <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-jackson-on-scary-collision-ill-go-through-a-wall-for-the-team-20120907,0,7036151.story">reporters after Friday night's game</a> that he would "go through a wall" for the team. A few hours earlier, he had just about tried. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Jackson <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/7/3302075/brett-jackson-injury-cubs/in/3066258">launched himself into the outfield wall</a> at PNC Park while robbing <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> CF <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> of extra bases. It was a stunning catch, but Jackson was very slow to get up.</p>
<p>After the game, though, Jackson revealed what is believed to be the extent of his injury: a bruised, swollen right knee. Jackson underwent X-rays after the game, which he says came back negative. It's unclear if he'll miss any time -- though it would be a surprise if he didn't -- but the result certainly could have been much worse.</p>
<p>The Pirates and Cubs will continue their series on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. CT.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cubs, visit <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around MLB, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/8/3302254/brett-jackson-injury-cubs-kneeJordan Sargent2012-09-07T22:32:20-05:002012-09-07T22:32:20-05:00Cubs Vs. Pirates Final Score: Pittsburgh Commits 7 Errors In Chicago Victory
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> haven't won many easy games in 2012, but they skated to a nice 12-2 victory over the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> on Friday night. The Pirates, though, weren't innocent bystandards -- they committed seven errors in the loss. Of Chicago's 12 runs, only six were charged to Pittsburgh pitchers.</p>
<p>It wasn't all good news for Chicago, unfortunately. Top prospect <span>Brett Jackson</span> injured himself after smashing into the wall while making a spectacular catch to rob <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> of extra bases. The Cubs have yet to elaborate on the severity of Jackson's injury or what is even injured, but the team's trainers were working on his right knee before he left the field.</p>
<p><span>Starlin Castro</span>, batting fifth, knocked in four runs while also picking up three hits. <span>Alfonso Soriano</span> added three RBI, bringing his season total to 91.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cubs, visit <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around MLB, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/7/3302219/cubs-vs-pirates-final-score-mlbJordan Sargent2012-09-07T21:18:26-05:002012-09-07T21:18:26-05:00Brett Jackson Injury: Cubs CF Leaves With Injury After Spectacular Catch (VIDEO)
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<figcaption>CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: Brett Jackson #7 of the Chicago Cubs hits a two run homer in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies on August 25 2012 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cubs CF Brett Jackson injured himself on Friday night after sprawling into the fence at PNC Park.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> CF <span>Brett Jackson</span> made an absolutely spectacular catch on Friday night vs. the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>, flying into the chain-link fencing in left-center field at PNC Park. Unfortunately for Jackson and the Cubs, Jackson paid the price for his daring effort -- he left the game after being attended to by Chicago's trainers while lying on the warning track.</p>
<p>Jackson's body went full-force into the fence, and his neck appeared to snap back upon impact. However, the Cubs trainers were working on his right knee before he left the field.</p>
<p>Here's video of the catch and subsequent aftermath:</p>
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<p>So far in 30 games for the Cubs, Jackson, one of Chicago's top prospects, has batted .187/.308/.407 with four homers and eight RBI.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cubs, visit <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around MLB, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/7/3302075/brett-jackson-injury-cubsJordan Sargent