25

Tough one for the Cubs in Philly Friday night despite great pitching and a HR from El Mago. Jose Quintana threw a quality start (6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K) and the bullpen threw 3.1 innings of one-run, two-hit ball. Unfortunately one of those hits was a walkoff long ball for the Phillies.

Baez and Murphy each had 2-for-5 nights, raising Javy's season average to .295 and Murphy's to .303. Quintana even went 2-for-2 at the plate, but the North Siders left 10 men on base, failing to capitalize on 9 hits and 5 walks.

Back at it on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.  134 regular season games down, 28 to go...

Go Cubs go!

25

Mike Montgomery returned from the DL and went 4 and a third but gave up four runs as well.  Which at the time put the Cubs down 4-3, However Tommy "3AM" La Stella hit his first homer of the season with a man on to give the Cubs a 5-4 lead and the bullpen took care of the rest allowing 0 hits.  Willson Contreras also drove in a couple, hopefully his offense will be jump started.  Pedro Strop came in and secured his 11th save in 15 chances.  The Cubs will now head to Philly.

26

Even though we lost today, the Cardinals loss allows the number to drop.  The Cubs head to Atlanta tomorrow for a make up game then it will be off to Philly.

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The Cubs needed just over an inning to get the win 2-1 over the Mets for their seventh straight win.  Anthony Rizzo had four hits as he stayed hot, Javy Baez took a leadoff walk to start the 11th before Caratini bunted and a throwing error gave the Cubs two in scoring position with none out.  Kyle Schwarber was walked and then Albert Almora struck out but the World Series MVP Ben Zobrist slapped a single up the middle for his 6th walk off RBI of his career.  The Cubs are now 6-0 in Cole Hamels starts and 7-0 since Daniel Murphy joined the lineup.  We play game 2 at 1:20 CST later today.

28

Hey hey! The NL-best Cubs downed the Mets 7-4 on Monday night at Wrigley behind a quality start -- and 2 RBI -- from Jon Lester. The North Siders pounded out 14 hits en route to the comeback win, their sixth straight!

Anthony Rizzo, the NL Player of the Week, went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI. Newest Cub Daniel Murphy continued his hitting streak in blue pinstripes with a 2-for-4 night. Ben Zobrist raised his season average to .309 with a 2-for-4 effort. That's Cub.

The series continues Tuesday night in Chicago.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credits:  Chicago Cubs

29

The Cubs beat the Reds 9-0 Sunday behind a rejuvenated offense as Daniel Murphy 2-3 with a walk, Rizzo had a couple doubles, Jason Heyward was 4-4 for the fourth time this season and Bote and Schwarber had big time HR's.  Cubs are now 5-0 since Murphy joined the lineup and the Cubs starters have posted a 1.67 ERA over the last 10 games as the Cubs get a home four game sweep of the Reds for the first time since 1945.  Speaking of the Cubs starters Kyle Hendricks threw 7 shutout innings giving up just two hits while walking one and striking out five on 98 pitches.  The Mets come to town tomorrow as Jon Lester will square off against Noah Syndergaard.

30

Holy cow! The NL-best Cubs offense powered them to a 10-6 victory at Wrigley on Saturday: Murphy, Schwarber, and Baez each homered. The North Siders built a 10-2 lead and held on for the win on an offense-friendly day in the Friendly Confines.

Jose Quintana held the Reds to two runs over five innings, Murphy and Javy each drove in 3, and Schwarbs drove in two. That's Cub.

The Cards also lost to the Rockies, so it's a two drop night! 

The series wraps up Sunday at Wrigley.

Go Cubs go!

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs

31

Holy cow! The NL-best Cubs offense powered them to a 10-6 victory at Wrigley on Saturday: Murphy, Schwarber, and Baez each homered. The North Siders built a 10-2 lead and held on for the win on an offense-friendly day in the Friendly Confines.

Jose Quintana held the Reds to two runs over five innings, Murphy and Javy each drove in 3, and Schwarbs drove in two. That's Cub.

The series wraps up Sunday at Wrigley.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credits:  Chicago Cubs

Photo Credit:  Chicago Tribune

32

Alec Mills came up from Triple A and threw 5 2/3 innings with 1 earned run 8 K's and a walk.  With the Cubs and Reds tied at 1 Daniel Murphy hit his 7th HR and first as a Cub to give the North Siders a 2-1 lead.  Unfortunately Pedro Strop would give up a tying HR to Eugenio Suarez in the top of the 9th but really that was setting the stage for David Bote.  Bote hit his 5th HR of the season in the bottom of the 10th, a no doubter to LF that reached Waveland Avenue on an 0-2 pitch.  The series will continue tomorrow at 1:20 CST as Jose Quintana will face off against Luis Castillo.

Bote Walk Off HR

33

Hey hey! The Cubs downed the Reds Thursday night at Wrigley 7-1 behind a complete game from Cole Hamels (9 IP, 7 K, 1 ER) and homers from Rizzo & Javy.

Baez went 3-for-5 with 3 runs scored, Daniel Murphy continued his hot start as a Cub with a 2-for-5 night, Rizzo was 2-for-2 with 3 RBI, and Caratini drove in 2 on a 2-for-4 night. That's Cub.

The series continues Friday in Chicago.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credits:  Chicago Cubs

34

The Cubs bats finally came back to life as they got a two run home run early from David Bote before Javy Baez added a 3 run shot late and Anthony Rizzo hit his second in as many days going back to back with Javy and the Cubs split the series with an 8-2 win and will fly home happy as they will square off against the Reds where Cole Hamels will start.  Jon Lester went 5 2/3 innings giving up 1 run on 7 hits to win his 14th on the season.

35

Cole Hamels went seven shutout innings to lower his Cubs ERA to 0.72 as he and the other Cubs pitchers were helped by seven double plays that the defense turned.  Kyle Schwarber hit his 21st HR to give the Cubs the only run they'd need as they move 21 games over .500.  Tyler Chatwood will face off against Joe Musgrove at 6:05 CST as he takes Mike Montgomery's spot in the rotation as Monty went to the DL with shoulder inflammation.

38

Jon Lester had a bounce back start going 6 shutout innings and tying a season high eight strike outs while hometown kid Ian Happ hit a solo HR which would be more than enough for the Cubs as the bullpen continued to tally zeroes even if Pedro Strop did make it a little interesting while notching his 10th save in 13 chances with a 22 pitch 9th.  The Cubs are now a season high 20 games over .500.

39

The Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 to split the two game series and will now head to Pittsburgh for a four game set.  Jason Heyward had three hits and two RBI's.  Anthony Rizzo had a two run basket shot and an RBI single.  Addison Russell chipped in with an RBI single of his own and Albert Almora Jr had a solo HR late.  Kyle Hendricks was dominant early  going 6 innings and giving up 4 earned runs, two which were surrendered by CJ Edwards.  However, the bullpen would clamp down after that as Justin Wilson, Steve Cishek, and Pedro Strop combined to give up only a HBP between them.

41

Max Scherzer dominated the Cubs for seven innings giving up only 3 hits while striking out 11 to be better than Cole Hamels who was almost as good through seven.  Striking out nine and giving up only 1 hit but a run scored since a walk was given before the hit.  However, rookie David Bote came off the bench to hit a walk off grand slam in the 9th off the batter's eye in CF to give the Cubs a huge win as Milwaukee comes to town for a two game series starting on Tuesday.

42

The Cubs managed their MLB leading 36th come from behind victory yesterday after Rizzo battled in  a 13 pitch AB against Nationals starter Jeremy Hellickson to earn a walk, and then Javy and Zo followed on back to back 4 pitch walks.  A LHP was then summoned to face Jason Heyward who immediately smacked a two RBI single past a diving second baseman to tie the game.  Rizzo would later take his third walk of the day with the bases loaded to give the Cubs a 3-2 lead and that's all they'd need as Pedro Strop came in to convert his 9th save in 12 chances.  Play resumes at 3:05 CST.

45

The Northsiders had the night off, but the Padres helped us out with a come from behind win over the Brewers! The Cubs are back to a two game lead over the Brew Crew, and are still the best team in the National League!

Tomorrow, the Cubs welcome the Nationals to Wrigley for a weekend series.

46

Mike Montgomery went 6 scoreless innings, while David Bote had 3 RBI's all of the two out variety.  The bullpen followed with three shutout innings giving up one hit while striking out three.  The Cubs will face the Royals again tomorrow at 7:15 CST as Jose Quintana takes the hill against Heath Filmyer.

48

It was the Cole Hamels and Javy Baez show last night as the new Cubs hurler was very good going 6 innings and giving up one earned run.  Javy on the other hand was well, Javy.  Making a great backhanded play at third defensively and then hitting his 25th HR a new career high.  Javy also added an RBI double off former Cub Jason Hammel to make 3-1 which is all Pedro Strop would need in a 10 pitch 9 strike 9th in the Cubs 3-1 win over the Royals.  It will be Mike Motgomery against rookie Brad Keller tonight at 7:15 CST.

49

The Chicago Cubs were able to beat the San Diego Padres 5-4 behind newfound leadoff man Anthony Rizzo who had a 2 run homer and a double along with a solo shot from Kyle Schwarber, RBI singles by Jason Heyward and Addison Russell.  The Professor went 5 and 2/3 to get the win as the Cubs bullpen went 3 1/3 where no hits or walks were given but they tallied 5 K's to make it a drama free win as Pedro Strop got the save for the second straight day.

51

Newcomer Cole Hamels was impressive over 5 innings as he struck out 9, walked 2, gave up three hits and an unearned run while hitting 96 MPH on his fastball.  The bullpen was sharp over the next 4 innings other than Brian Duensing who gave up an earned run.  Willson Contereras and Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward all had three hits.  2 doubles for J Hey and a double and HR for Willy.  The Cubs return to Wrigley tomorrow at 7:05 CST as Mike Montgomery will face off against Robbie Erlin of the Padres.