Pirates 7, Cubs 5 more ›

Pirates 3, Cubs 1 more ›

The St. Louis Cardinals completed the series sweep of the Cubs, with the help of yet another walk-off homer by Albert Pujols -- his fourth of the series. At the top of the tenth inning, Pujols' slammer put the Cards ahead. This was the sixth straight loss for the Cubs, and it ended Cubs closer Carlos Marmol's franchise record scoreless inning streak at 25 1/3 innings. more ›

The Cubs got another sweep (and a scare) while the Sox' late-season slide continued. more ›

The Cubs extend their winning streak, the Sox lose again, and there was a slew of football to cover. more ›

The Cubs got a great start out of Ryan Dempster who worked a little bit for a 2-0 win over the Marlins. More than once did Dempster allow multiple runners on base but each time he was able to work out of the jam. And, of course, Carlos Marmol is never boring in relief and this time was no different, allowing the first two batters on the inning on base before getting the final three outs to the game with a little assistance from Starlin Castro who made a terrific catch. RBI doubles by Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto gave the Cubs the offense they needed for the win as the team's winning streak hit four. They'll try to extend that to five games later tonight (6:10 p.m., WGN). more ›

With the Twins off yesterday, the Sox hoped to make up a game in the race for the AL Central crown. But instead of a win, the Sox again faltered and fell to the Tigers 6-3, dropping six games back of the Twins. What was a seven-game win streak has now given way to a three-game losing streak as the Sox watch their playoff chances fade like Marty McFly's hand on stage at the Enchantment Under The Sea dance. Down 4-0 in the fourth, Alex Rios belted a two-run homer to cut into the Tigers' lead but they couldn't do much more to catch up. The Tigers tagged Sox starter Gavin Floyd for 13 hits, bringing six runs (five earned) over six innings pitched. Said Ozzie of losing more ground to the Twins: "Punch in the nose. But you can't do anything about it. Like I said before we came here, if we expect and we hope that another team beats them, we're crazy." The Sox now only have 22 games left to make up the necessary ground. They catch a break in that they host the Twins for a three-game series next week, but they have to get through a weekend series with the Royals first. Game one of that series is at The Cell tonight (7:10 p.m., CSN). more ›

The White Sox struggled to get any offense going and the Tigers rode a big fourth inning to a 5-1 victory last night. An Omar Vizquel solo shot gave the Sox an early 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth but the Tigers cracked the game open with four runs in the bottom of the inning off of Sox starter John Danks, who fell to 13-10 on the season. Overall, the Sox only managed four hits on the night off of Jeremy Bonderman: Vizquel's homer and three singles, not the kind of offensive performance the team needed. Meanwhile, the Twins won their sixth straight, extending their AL Central lead to 5.5 games. The Sox play the Tigers once more this afternoon before returning home (12:05 p.m., CSN). more ›

It was all Michael Bourn as the Astros made short work of the Cubs by the football score of 7-3 last night. Bourn went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI - just a homer short of hitting for the cycle - to pace the 'Stros to victory despite giving the Cubs an early 2-1 lead. But Cubs starter Carlos Silva struggled, allowing six runs over five innings to Houston and falling to 10-6 on the year in his first game in over a month. Said Silva, "I felt very good. I didn't enjoy the result." Neither did Cubs fans. With the series split thus far, the two teams face off in the rubber game tonight before the Cubs hit the road for two weeks (7:05 p.m., CSN+). more ›

The newest White Sox Winning Streak hit seven games as the Pale Hose used extra inning heroics to top the Detroit Tigers 5-4 in 10 innings. With the game knotted at 4-4 in the 10th, the newest Sox Manny Ramirez stroked a single and then reached second base on a Detroit error. After a pinch-runner was subbed in, Alex Rios singled the runner to third and A.J. Pierzynski followed up with another single, knocking in the winning run, A.J.'s third RBI of the day. Edwin Jackson pitched 7.1 innings, allowing all four Detroit runs, but it was rookie Chris Sale getting the win in relief. After the game, A.J. said of another dramatic victory, "We're just finding ways to win games. Everyone's sticking with their plan." Unfortunately, the Twins continue to ride a hot streak of their own - four straight and eight of 10 - and maintain a 3.5 game lead over the Sox. The Sox try to extend the winning streak to eight games when they take on the Tigers again tonight (6:05 p.m., WCIU). more ›

It was a wild one yesterday at The Cell where the Tigers battled past the Sox and themselves for a 13-8 win over the Pale Hose. Down 5-1 early, the Sox rallied back and a two-run Paul Konerko homer in the sixth pushed the Sox out in front 7-5. But the bullpen couldn't hold the lead as JJ Putz was scarred with a blown save for the second straight game, giving up three runs (two earned), and Tony Pena gave up four more to Detroit with the Sox only mustering one more run through the final three innings. The Tigers also managed to overcome some (Cubs-like) inner turmoil in the dugout after the first inning when pitcher Armando Galarraga argued with some teammates. The loss drops the Sox three games behind the Minnesota Twins. Both teams have today off before reconvening for a big three-game series in Minnesota on Tuesday night (7:10 p.m., WCIU). more ›

It was a rare win for the Cubs on Saturday as they managed to clip the rival Cardinals and their ace Chris Carpenter 3-2. Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee both had solo homers for the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano had a solid enough outing to earn his fourth win of his roller coaster season, allowinf two runs over 5.2 innings. Carlos Marmol pitched 1.2 innings to earn his 20th save of the year. Said Lou after the game, "Yeah, it is nice to win a close ball game." Ryan Dempster heads to the hill this afternoon with the hopes of giving the Cubs two wins in a row (1:15 p.m., WGN). more ›

Not even an 82-minute rain delay could disrupt the Sox this time around, the team marching on to an 8-4 victory over Detroit to stay a game behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. The Sox blew the game open in the fifth, led by Gordon Beckham's three-run homer and Mark Teahen added a two-run shot in the sixth to keep the offense rolling. Mark Buehrle allowed three runs over 6.1 innings of work to get the win, his 11th on the year. The Sox are only 7-6 in August so far but still only a game behind the Twins. They've also owned the Tigers, winning four of their last five against Detroit, a trend they aim to continue into tonight's game to help them keep pace with the Twins (6:05 p.m., WGN). more ›

The White Sox watched Bobby Jenks blow a three-run lead in the ninth only to rally in the 11th inning for a 6-4 over the Tigers in Detroit earlier today. The Sox scored twice in the fifth - on a wild pitch and again on a Juan Pierre RBI single - to go up 2-0 and added a two-run Mark Kotsay homer to the tally in the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, Bobby Jenks struggled again, allowing two men on base before giving up a three-run homer to Ryan Raburn, tying the game at 4-4, Jenks 3rd blown save of the season, sending the game to extras. In the 11th, it was Kotsay again coming throw, belting a two-run triple to give the Sox a 6-4 lead. Serigo Santos made things interesting when he allowed two Tigers on with two outs in the bottom of the inning but got out of the jam, clinching another victory for the Sox who now head directly to Baltimore for a weekend set. more ›

After getting pushed around - and downright bullied - the last seven games, the Cubs unleashed a barrage of homers on their way to a cathartic 15-3 steamrolling of the Brewers, snapping their seven-game skid and avoiding a second straight series sweep. A Tyler Colvin solo homer opened scoring for the Cubs in the third but the team was down 3-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth. That's when the bats came out. The Cubs actually took advantage of runners on base and a trio of RBI singles from Geovany Soto, Blake DeWitt, and Jeff Baker put the Cubs in the lead and then Aramis Ramirez belted a three-run homer to cap a six-run sixth. But the Cubs weren't done. Making up for all the times they could have used extra runs, Soto and DeWitt also belted three-run homers to put an exclamation point on the rout. Soto (5 RBI) and DeWitt (4 RBI) were the big producers on the day. Meanwhile, on the hill, Ryan Dempster gave up all three runs and pitched six innings to earn his ninth win of the season and the bullpen held, not allowing any additional runs. Whew. The Cubs get a day off to rest and muster the strength for another offensive onslaught when they welcome the Reds to town tomorrow for a weekend set (1:20 p.m., CSN). more ›

The Cubs got a solid start out of rookie pitcher Thomas Diamond but still couldn't muster enough offense for a win, falling to the Brewers 4-3 and extending their losing streak to seven games. Diamond logged 10 strikeouts over six innings - tying Mark Prior for most K's in a Cubs debut - but allowed three runs on seven hits, earning a loss in his first start. The Cubs tried to piece together a few runs on a Derrek Lee RBI single in the first and a Fukudome solo homer in the seventh. In the ninth, Starlin Castro singled in Mike Fontenot but any rally was cut short when a base-running error resulted in Castro being thrown out a second. All of this despite the Cubs equaling the Brewers in hits - 11 - as the team registered a typical 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, leaving nine men on base. Ryan Dempster is scheduled to get the start today - weather permitting - as the Cubs try to halt their losing streak and avoid a second-straight series sweep (1:20 p.m., WGN). more ›

You know it's an offensive explosion when Juan Pierre hits a homer. Pierre homered for the first time in over 800 at-bats as the Sox rolled over the hapless Tigers 12-2 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader in Detroit this afternoon. Alex Rios and Dayan Viciedo also homered in the romp as the eight different players drove in runs on 15 hits to hand the Tigers their ninth loss in 11 games. Alexei Ramirez had a great day at the plate batting 4-for-5, driving in two runs and scoring himself three times. On the mound, Mark Buehrle cruised, allowing just two runs over 7.2 innings to earn his 10th win of the season. The Sox have now won eight of their last 11 games and hope to keep rolling in the evening half of the twin-bill when Carlos Torres is expected to get the start (6:05 p.m, WCIU). more ›

Sox Shut Down Tigers more ›

True story: there were other Chicago sports teams besides the Blackhawks playing last night. more ›

Cubs Blow Lead To Brewers more ›

Today, we've talked about tigers and we've talked about hockey. Finally, the two converged this afternoon when a tiger at the Lincoln Park Zoo showed us all what Toews, Kane, Sharp, Buffy, Campbell, Niemi, and the rest of the high-flying Blackhawks will do to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup Finals. Phillyist was going to respond but the Philly zoo was closed down when the only exhibit left - full of Eagles fans - was shut down after the inhabitants escaped following Donovan McNabb's trade to the Redskins. more ›

Well, here's something you don't read about everyday: federal agents removed four tigers from a Gary, Indiana tattoo parlor. The U.S. Department of Agriculture cited the tigers' health as the reason they were removed: more ›

Cubs Rumble Past Rockies more ›

Ramirez Blasts Cubs To Win more ›

No matter which team you prefer, you're either sad to see baseball go or glad the long, torturous 2009 season is done. Benjy will wrap up the season for both teams (and look ahead to 2010) later in the week, but for now, here's what went down yesterday. more ›

Even a Cubs fan such as myself has to hand it to the White Sox: this "Well, if we can't be in the playoffs so we might as well completely screw up the playoff picture for someone else" attitude is pretty addictive. The White Sox downed Detroit 5-1 last night, forcing the Tigers into a tie with the Minnesota Twins heading into the last day of the season. Adding a little fun to the festivities, if the Twins and Tigers finished tied, the Twins host a playoff which will have to be played Tuesday because of the Vikings-Packers Monday Night Football game at the Metrodome. Anything that messes even the slightest bit with Bud Selig is totally awesome with us. Okay, but there was a game last night, too. Freddy Garcia looked sharp, pitching seven-plus innings, striking out seven, and giving up only a single run. Carlos Quentin had a two-run homer and Alex Rios also had a great night, knocking in three runs. The Sox wrap up 2009 against the Tigers today at 12:05 p.m. (WGN). more ›

Peavy Shuts Down Detroit, Gives Sox Hope For 2010 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 ›