We figured something would eventually have to give. After two close games against the Giants, still fighting for their playoff lives, including a shutout win, we figured the Cubs were due for a bad loss. Sure enough, it happened last night as the Giants stomped the Cubs by a 13-0 final. But, really, it wasn't that bad if you don't count that nine-run second inning. It was a rough night for starter Ryan Dempster who gave up nine runs total in less than two innings of work. Said Dempster after the game, "In baseball, you don't get mulligans and can't start over. They did a good job tonight. More so, I didn't do my job. It [stinks], but what are you going to do? You go back to the drawing board and get ready for your next start." Yep, there's really not much else to say, especially with the offense failing to score a single run, though. Maybe something will get lit under the team as they head into their final home series today against the rival St. Louis Cardinals (1:20 p.m., CSN). more ›

For the 16th straight game, the Giants held their opponents to under three runs but it didn't matter because they scored, well, none as the Cubs shutout San Francisco 2-0. Randy Wells scattered six hits and struck out six over 7.2 innings for his eighth win of the season and Carlos Marmol came in in the top of the eighth to get the Cubs out of a jam; Marmol slammed the door shut with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 34th save of the year. Offensively, the Cubs got a boost from Kosuke Fukudome who delivered a solo homer in the third and Koyie Hill scored on a wild pitch in the fifth. Interim manager Mike Quade said the Cubs, who are utilizing a large number of youngsters in the season's final month, still have something to play for: "The rally cry right now is, 'Look, we've got 12 left, and give everything we've got for 12. That's not just 22-year-olds [on the team] -- that's 30-year-olds as well. How you get that out of those guys I think depends on how you use them, and I think you'll get it out of them if you use them correctly." And right now, the Cubs are playing spoiler for the Giants who are locked in the throes of their own pennant race. The two teams square off once more this evening (6:05 p.m., CSN). more ›

There's an Emmylou Harris song that goes, "But one thing they don't tell you about the Blues/ When you got em/ You keep on falling cause there ain't no bottom." That must be about how the White Sox feel right now as they lost their eighth straight game and the shot at the playoffs seems as distance as the Cubs' right now after last night's 7-2 loss to Oakland. In fact, the loss officially eliminated the Sox from playoff contention last night, all hope of a once-in-a-million-years miracle comeback gone. Mark Buehrle gave up 11 hits and five runs over six innings pitched while reliever Lucas Harrell gave up two more. After the game, Ozzie reflected on the elimination: more ›

The Sox had a down-right Cubs-like performance, leaving 12 runners on base and failing to score many runs on several opportunities en route to a 6-1 loss to the Twins. The loss drops the Sox into second place in the AL Central, a game behind Minnesota. The Sox hit 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position, loading the bases in three different innings but only squeaking out one run, dooming them to the loss. Gavin Floyd gave up all six runs over 6.2 innings pitched for the Sox. Floyd remained optimistic after the game: "We have six more games with them, and a ton of baseball in between those six. Anything can happen. Just go out there and try and ignore today, look forward to tomorrow." Indeed, the two teams will square off again in a three-game series next week. Until then, though, the Sox host the Tigers in hopes of making up a little ground over the weekend, beginning tonight (7:10 p.m., WCIU). more ›

The White Sox rode timely offense and a good outing from John Danks to a 6-1 win over the Twins to pull even with Minnesota atop the AL Central. Carlos Quentin belted a two-run homer to open up scoring and the Sox also used a three-run fifth to build a lead. Danks was also sharp, striking out seven and allowing only one run over eight innings of work. But the Sox tried to downplay this being a "must-win" at this point in the season. Ozzie said after the win, "I don't want to wake up tomorrow morning and people in Chicago area panicking about it." Of course, the teams have seven games left against each other - including a three-game set next week - so there are still opportunities to make up any lost ground. Still, we have to imagine the Sox would have been sweating just a teeny bit if they had lost this one. But they didn't so... there you are. The Sox try to take the rubber game of the series and take the division lead back later tonight (7:10 p.m., CSN). more ›

The battle for the AL Central is off and running and this morning there's a new first place team as the Minnesota Twins overpowered the White Sox last night 12-6. The Twins jumped on Freddy Garcia for an early 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second when Carlos Quentin cut into that lead with a three-run homer. But the Twins were too much, overpowering the Sox and taking a 10-3 lead before the Sox could score again. Garcia only lasted 2.1 innings, giving up six runs on eight hits while the bullpen didn't do much better, giving up another six runs. Paul Konerko remained optimistic after the game, even as the Sox dropped a game behind the Twins in the standings, saying, "You keep battling. There's a lot of battling left. You want to win a series and we can still do that." The Sox hope to keep battling and tie the Twins atop the division with a win tonight when they send John Danks to the mound (7:10 p.m., WGN). more ›

The Sox finished their trip to Baltimore on a down note, losing three of the four games against the Orioles which culminated in last night's 3-2 tenth inning loss. An Alex Rios double gave the Sox an early 1-0 lead but Baltimore scored twice in the sixth to take the lead. Paul Konerko rescued the Sox, hitting the game-tying solo homer to force extra innings. But it would be the Orioles' Brian Roberts who would play the conquering hero, hitting a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th off of J.J. Putz. The Sox now head home for a new homestand that begins with a big three-game series against the Twins, who are now tied atop the AL Central with the Sox. Freddy Garcia takes the hill in the first game tonight (7:10 p.m., CSN). more ›

It was a roller coaster weekend for the Sox but they came away winners over Detroit Sunday 8-4 and took two of three from the Tigers as the team closed out the home part of its 2009 schedule. Rookie Daniel Hudson, making his second career start, got his first Big League win, pitching six strong innings. Carlos Quentin was the offensive star for the Sox, driving in four runs including an RBI double in the second and a key three-run homer in the eighth. Podsednik, Kotsay, Beckham, and Dye all contributed RBIs in the winning effort as well. Matt Thornton struggled for the Sox bullpen, giving up two runs in the ninth, but eventually shut the door to clinch the victory. The Sox head over to Cleveland for a three-game series starting tonight at 6:05 p.m. (WCIU). more ›

The Cubs won for the third straight game and for the sixth time in seven games since sending Milton Bradley packing for the year as they tripped up the Giants 6-2. Earlier this week, we said the Cubs' playoffs hopes were done. Even though the Cardinals (finally) clinched the NL Central, the Cubs do still have slim hopes of sneaking into the playoffs, 5.5 games back of Colorado in the Wild Card with 8 games left, though they'll still have to get through the Giants (which they will with a series sweep), Florida, a streaking Atlanta, and the aforementioned Rockies. Playoffs or not, the Cubs looked good yesterday, starter Tom Gorzelanny allowing only one run over five innings and the bullpen giving up only a solo homer in the seventh. The offense did their part, too, as Jake Fox and Geovany Soto had two RBIs each and Aramis Ramirez added a homer to the tally. The Cubs go for the sweep today at 3:05 p.m. (WGN). more ›

With the White Sox having been eliminated from the playoff race Thursday night, there was nothing left for them to do except play spoiler in the AL Central. And that's what they did Friday night as Jake Peavy threw lights out and Gordon Beckham provided the offense as the Sox beat the Tigers 2-0. The win put the Tigers lead over the Twins at a meager two games. As for Peavy, he struck out eight over seven scoreless innings, giving Sox fans a reason to be optimistic for 2010. Said Peavy of another outing for the Sox, "It was fun tonight. I was able to make some pitches when I needed to, getting out of some jams, and the boys played well behind me for a hard-fought ballgame on both sides." Gordon Beckham's two-run homer in the sixth was the only offense for either team. The two teams continue their weekend series tonight at 6:05 p.m. (CSN). more ›

Jeff Baker provided the drama with a ninth inning go-ahead homer that helped the Cubs edge the Giants 3-2 and kept the Cardinals from officially clinching the NL Central. The game was primarily a pitcher's duel between Ryan Dempster (seven innings, two runs, six K's) and Brad Penny (eight innings, one run, four K's). But Baker's two-run homer in the top of the ninth off of closer Brian Wilson put the Cubs ahead for good. Aaron Heilman pitched the eighth and was credited with the win while Carlos Marmol recorded three K's in the ninth to notch the save. Derek Lee aggravated his neck with a slide into second in the ninth inning but there's no news as to whether it will keep him out of tonight's game or not. The Giants and Cubs play game two of their weekend set tonight at 9:15 p.m. (CSN+). more ›

In spite of several solid innings for starter Sean Marshall, a rough first inning gave the Giants an edge over the Cubs that the North Siders would never overcome, losing 6-2. Marshall gave up three runs in that top of the first before settling down for the next several innings. The Cubs offense had to play from behind with many starters sitting thanks to a night game last night and a road trip starting tomorrow. Mike Fontenot and Sean Marshall, helping his own cause, got RBIs in the second and fifth innings, respectively. more ›

Ah, late February in Chicago. Cubs tickets go on sale today, there's a forecast for a high temperature above 35 degrees next week, and thousands of indie rock kids around Chicago will soon be shedding their parkas for high-priced hoodies bought from Wicker Park boutiques (tip: ours cost us $12 at Target!) for several worthwhile shows around the Chicago area. Lots of tickets go on sale this weekend. So, despite this crappy weather, there is, in the words of Spoon, "something to look forward to." more ›

href="http://torontoist.com/2008/02/phototo_snowbal.php">photographing a big, organized snowball fight.

Here are some things to do this evening to consider bringing your voter receipt. more ›

The Super Bowl is coming on Sunday, like it or not, and with it comes analysis of the action on the field, the commercials, and what's sitting on the plate in front of you. You could go the classy route and cook up a feast for your football-watching friends. Or you could join your fellow Americans in helping to make Feb. 3 the most popular pizza ordering day of the year. more ›

Well that should just about do it for any talk of the Bears making the playoffs. After leading for the first 53 minutes of the game, the Bears allowed the New York Giants to score two late touchdowns, resulting in 21-16 loss. The game began with a promising drive in which Rex Grossman drove the Bears down the field with ease, resulting in a touchdown and 7-0 lead just minutes into the game. But that... more ›

The Red Sox has permeated nearly every facet of Bostonist's lives. When they're not live-blogging the games, waxing poetic about the games, thanking Curt Schilling for his splendid work, or telling Dane Cook to watch his hair, they're watching certain presidential candidates hop on the Red Sox bandwagon (sorry, Gothamist). The Sox are so branded on the local brain that people are using the Series to spice up their sex lives. Speaking of spice, Bostonist... more ›

Seattlest watches as a S.L.U.T. is born and Seattle Flickr users go nuts over a local art installation. A restaurant critic demands a Diner's Bill of Rights over a gnat next to her drink, and, in lieu of a Portlandist, Seattlest debates with itself over the identity of the Northwest's crown jewel. Seattlest also joins the guys from Fantagraphics for an ill-fated gun party in the woods. Bostonist got a crash course in what not... more ›

A few days ago we unwittingly created a monster when we expressed our frustration about having to wait to see the schedule for this year's Chicago International Film Festival, which runs October 4-17. Well, we finally have a copy of said schedule in our hot little hands. What follows is a very brief, cursory summary of what you can expect this year (the full schedule will be online within the next few days). Regardless of... more ›

For the first three games of the Cubs-Giants series, slugger Barry Bonds kept himself planted to the visitors' dugout bench for the most part. Cubs fans got little chance to boo Bonds as one pinch hit at-bat was his only playing time. For those who were patient, however, Bonds made up for his absence by putting on quite a show on Thursday. Mired in an 0-21 batting slump while racing toward Hank Aaron's all-time home... more ›

- Craig Stebic had his divorce petition dismissed. We're guessing he got no argument from his wife. more ›

LAist is experimenting with blogging dates from J-Date, but finds the best men are found offline. Some date vicariously online and that is one reason why porn is big -- really freaking big -- so they ask if they should cover XXX since the heart of it lays in the city's San Fernando Valley. A writer grapples with her food porn photography obsession, another gets censored on Flickr, one gets scooped by the LA... more ›

This week we'd like to congratulate the -ist network's Mother Hen, Gothamist's Jen Chung, who found herself a recipient of Wired Magazine's Wired Rave Award. If that doesn't sound terribly exciting, keep in mind another recipient was J.K. Rowling. Yep, that's right, the -ist network and Harry Potter now have something in common. Go us. Austinist has a chat with the ever-fashionable Golden Girl Rue McClanahan, and managed to catch some local fashionistas making... more ›

What Made Milwaukee Famous is the quirky kid with the dorky name in the back of the class whom no one notices until he gets his braces off, gets into MIT, and scores a summer internship with NASA. Kicking around the Austin scene since 2004, WMMF has put together a kind of indie-rock dream team: management through Fourth Floor, a division of powerhouse promoters Capitol Sports & Entertainment (Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits), booking through Monterey... more ›

We mentioned earlier that the Annuals show at Schubas tonight was one of our main shows to see this week. The band’s sound skips around from They Might Be Giants quirk before careening into impassioned indie-stylee wailing, keeping everyone listening on their toes. The music bounces and skims above the head of cliché, with the band evoking familiar reference points while ultimately staying true to themselves and creating their own signature. The group has been kind enough to offer us two free passes for tonight’s show, so enter after the jump for your chance to get in free with a guest ... but enter NOW since this contest closes at 5:00 p.m.! more ›

Quick: how many more days 'til the Oscars? Frankly, we don't care. However the Sundance Film Festival opens on January 18, an event which we've always daydreamed about but haven't been able to attend. This year's opener will bring a bit of Chicago to the usually-sleepy ski town of Park City, Utah: the documentary Chicago 10, directed by Brett Morgen. It chronicles the anti-war protests which accompanied the 1968 Democratic Convention and the subsequent trial... more ›

While the game was reminiscent of last year's team, the Bears won yet again on Sunday by beating the Jets 10-0 at Giants Stadium. The defense was in top form, creating key turnovers and holding the Jets when it looked like they were close to scoring. Brian Urlacher intercepted the ball in the end zone when the Jets looked poised to open the scoring. The teams went into the intermission tied at 0-0. Perhaps the... more ›

Chicagoist was amazed that, as quickly as the national sports media jumped on the Bears bandwagon, they leapt off even faster following the Bears' loss to Miami last week. Maybe they'll realize those leaps were premature after the Bears defeated the New York Giants 38-20 on national TV Sunday night. For the first 28 minutes of the game, it certainly didn't look like the Bears would win. The Giants dominated the game and held a... more ›