It was a rather productive trip to Milwaukee for the Cubs that turned around in the eighth inning of Thursday’s game with one swing of the bat from Anthony Rizzo. The Cubs won all four games at Wrigley North and improved to 10 games over .500 for the first time this season. Before Sunday, the Cubs had not been 10 over since the end of the 2008 season.
Anthony Rizzo launched home runs in the first three games after going deep in the series finale with the Rockies. Following a rough series at Wrigley a week ago, the Cubs posted wins in six of the next seven games.
The front office made two additions to the roster while Clayton Richard’s performance Sunday made the Cubs pause before making a decision on his roster spot.
Here are all the headlines, and a few videos, from an incredibly busy three days …
Trade Deadline Rumors
A majority of Friday leading up to the 3:00pm CDT deadline was spent tracking the multitude of rumors and reports about the players the Cubs could acquire and the players the front office could trade. The Cubs made two deals to add depth to the roster but were heavily linked to several other players. Those reports and rumors should not be ignored.
The deals were not made but that does not mean the Cubs will not rekindle those talks in the off-season. As is the case with waiver claims, sometimes teams use the deadline to gauge interest in their players and start dialogue with other clubs.
Here are links to several of the reliable reports and rumors that surfaced late Thursday and Friday.
- Report: Cubs Aggressively Trying to Include Starlin Castro in Any Deal
- Cubs Pursuing Pitching as Deadline Nears
- Cubs Reportedly Talking to the Orioles about Tommy Hunter and Indians about RHP Carlos Carrasco
- Report: Cubs Discussing a Deal with the Dodgers for LHP Alex Wood
Rizzo Rocks the Three-Run Homer – Cubs 5, Brewers 2
Anthony Rizzo gave the Cubs a much-needed lift in the eighth inning. Rizzo launched a three-run homer with two outs and turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 advantage. The Cubs added a pair of runs in the ninth.
Jake Arrieta settled down after a shaky first three innings. The bullpen was very good. Rafael Soriano picked up the win. Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon set down the last six batters to close out the game.
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/31/15
There were several very good pitching performances down on the farm at the end of the week. And Myrtle Beach received power from an unexpected source. A lot of longball was played by the Cubs’ minor leaguers.
The Daily CCO: The Last Day of July and Cubs News and Notes
As the criticism continued to roll in, the Cubs began play on the last day of the month with a winning record. Miguel Montero passed the tests and prepared to begin a rehab stint, even though he did not feel he needed one.
Kyle Schwarber might see time at first base and Joe Maddon talked about the importance of his regulars getting days off.
Includes all of the news, notes, rumors and links … plus This Day in Cubs History.
From the Wire: Cubs Acquire RHP Dan Haren and RHP Tommy Hunter, Trade OF Junior Lake, DFA RHP Ben Rowen
The Cubs added two veteran pitchers to the staff. RHP Dan Haren and cash were acquired from the Marlins for minor leaguers SS Elliot Soto and RHP Ivan Pineyro. And the Cubs traded OF Junior Lake to the Orioles for RHP Tommy Hunter. To make room on the 40-man roster for Dan Haren, the Cubs designated RHP Ben Rowen for assignment.
Hammel Gets Back on Tract, Cubs Down the Brewers – Cubs 4, Brewers 1
After the dust settled from the trade deadline, the Cubs went back to work at Miller Park and beat the Brewers for the second day in a row. Anthony Rizzo garnered the headlines with his third home run in as many games. But it was the outing turned in by Jason Hammel that was the biggest story of the night.
Hammel had his best start in a month and showed little effects of the left hamstring injury that impacted the way he pitched in his previous two outings.
Starlin Castro drove in the first two runs. Addison Russell added a run-scoring single. And Anthony Rizzo went yard in the seventh inning.
Rambling about the Cubs as the Dog Days Begin
There is a first time for everything and after nine years of rambling about the Cubs, Brian posted his unique views of the Cubs on a Saturday. Brian asked the question, which player is the biggest Cubs’ Killer of them all and posted a surprising stat while unleashing his thoughts on the Faithful.
The Daily CCO: Epstein Addresses Cubs Moves Prior to the Deadline and Other News and Notes
Theo Epstein talked to the beat writers about the two trades the Cubs made and the two trades that got away. Starlin Castro received praise from Joe Maddon as he noticed a difference with his shortstop.
Javier Baez is hitting at Iowa and so is Mike Olt.
Includes the news, notes, links and This Day in Cubs History.
Cubs Month in Review – July 2015
Chris looked back at July, a winning but disappointing month for the Cubs. Jon Lester led the pitching staff, which kept the Cubs above the breakeven point, while Dexter Fowler stepped up for a struggling offense.
From the Wire: Cubs Activate Dan Haren and Tommy Hunter, Option Yoervis Medina to Triple-A Iowa
The Cubs added Dan Haren and Tommy Hunter to the roster and in order to have room for Hunter, the Cubs optioned Yoervis Medina to Iowa.
The Cubs always-changing roster received two well-timed additions.
Rizzo and Schwarber Supply the Power, Hendricks Takes Care of the Brewers – Cubs 4, Brewers 2
Kyle Hendricks pitched into the eighth inning and gave up only one run. Jason Motte had a rough ninth inning and an excellent leaping catch at the wall by Jorge Soler took a two-run homer away from Khris Davis. Tommy Hunter was impressive in his Cubs’ debut by picking up the save on three pitches … and lighting up the radar gun.
Anthony Rizzo’s three-run homer gave the Cubs an early lead against Matt Garza. And the rally started with an 11-pitch at bat from Kyle Schwarber.
Kyle Schwarber added a solo home run as the Cubs won for the fourth straight day.
Cubs Player Profile: RHP Dan Haren
Chris provided a profile on one of the newest Cubs, veteran right hander Dan Haren.
Cubs Player Profile: RHP Tommy Hunter
And Chris took a look at Tommy Hunter’s career a day after he was dealt to the Cubs.
The Daily CCO: Cubs Discussing Chase Utley? Javier Baez Collects Three Hits and Other News
Rumors popped up just before the deadline the Cubs showed interest in Chase Utley. The reports were disregarded at the time. But there appears to be a little more than the Cubs just exploring all options to improve the roster. Jerry Crasnick and Gordon Wittenmyer both reported Saturday the front office is having internal conversations about putting in a waiver claim for Chase Utley.
Includes updates on Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber, Miguel Montero, Tsuyoshi Wada, Tommy La Stella and the starting rotation … plus all of the news, notes, links and This Day in Cubs History.
From the Wire: Cubs Recall LHP Clayton Richard, Designate C Taylor Teagarden for Assignment
The Cubs officially added Clayton Richard to the roster so he could start Sunday in Milwaukee. The Cubs had to create a spot on the roster for Richard and designated Taylor Teagarden for assignment. Teagarden provided one of the most memorable hits of the season in his short time with the Cubs.
Cubs Hold On and Complete the Sweep in Milwaukee – Cubs 4, Brewers 3
Clayton Richard drove in as many runs and he allowed. Addison Russell went yard and Kris Bryant singled in Kyle Schwarber before he had to leave the game.
The Cubs not only saw their rookie third baseman depart the game early with an injury but Joe Maddon was thrown out of the game.
A bad ninth inning led to an increased heart-rate. But in the end, Dexter Fowler was in the right spot to catch the 27th out.
The Cubs completed the organization’s first four-game series sweep in Milwaukee in seven years and improved to 10 games over .500 in the process.