Cubs Get No Glove
Errors Lead to 4 Runs, Offense Is Too Little, Too Late

Jerry Lai/US PRESSWIRE

Thanks to back-to-back errors by Jeff Baker in the seventh inning and another by gold-glove winner Derrek Lee in the eighth, the Cubs were down by five in the ninth inning yesterday. And yet just when you thought it was over, they decided to make it a ball game. A three-run homer by Tyler Colvin and a Lee solo shot made it close, but in the end the Cubs lost 7-6. Carlos Silva produced another quality start, but took his second consecutive loss. As for the defense: we might suggest the Cubs check out Tom Emanski's fielding drills, brought to you by former Cub Fred McGriff. It can't hurt.

ESPN Chicago: Hunter homers as Angels hold off Cubs in... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Errors doom Cubs to 7-6 defeat
Chicago Sun-Times: Wrigley: House of errors
Daily Herald: Ominous forecast as Silva, Cubs sputter
MLB: Cubs' four-run ninth not quite enough [+ video]

The Comeback Kid?
Aramis Ramirez Close to Returning
The Cubs are still not quite out of it, but they definitely need something to help them turn the corner. In 2007, it was Lou Piniella's freak out that turned around a lackluster season. After that, they won 17 of their next 22 games. So this year, how about if the Cubs' worst best hitter comes back from the disabled list to hit like we know he can? It all starts this weekend, as Aramis Ramirez heads to the minor leagues on a rehab assignment. If he turns it around, we think the Cubs still have a chance. If he doesn't, well....

MLB: Cubs' Ramirez ready for rehab at bats
ESPN Chicago: Cubs' Ramirez: thumb improving

The Boise are Back in Town
The Cubs' Idaho Team Starts Its Season
The Cubs' Single-A team, The Boise Hawks, put down the potatoes and started their season with a 7-0 loss yesterday. They didn't have a runner reach third base, and committed 4 errors. Looks like they're already playing like the big-league team. Keep an eye on Chris Huseby, though: He had a phenomenal year last year (1.83 ERA, 73Ks in 54 innings) and he looks poised to climb up through the system pretty quickly. He's 22, six-foot seven inches, and features a good fastball (91-93 mph) and impeccable control. Look for him to contribute to the big league club sooner rather than later.

Idaho Press: Hawks routed in opener
Minor League Baseball: Chris Huseby stats

Bob-in' and Weavin'
Announcer Brenly Takes Shots at Team
The Cubs' defense has been pretty poor at times this season — they have the 14th-lowest fielding percentage in the National League. But is it right for Bob Brenly to single out first baseman Derrek Lee and the organization as a whole? It seems strange to us that Brenly would bust on Lee and the organization as a whole for a lack of fundamentals. Maybe Bob's comments will get the team fired up and they'll play better. Hey, it worked in Major League, didn't it?

ESPN Chicago: Brenly: Cubs lack fundamentals

Organ-ized Religion
Cubs End Tradition of Organ Music
The Friendly Confines has many unique traditions: throwing the ball back after an opponent homers, flying the W flag after a win, and college kids being booted from the bleachers for getting all punchy-punchy. But the Cubs have decided to end the traditional organ music that's usually played when a player comes up to bat. Instead, they're playing whatever song the players have picked for themselves. Some people are not happy: there's even a petition to bring the organ back. And Counting takes an impassioned look at what this move means in the grand scheme of things.

And Counting: Wrigley walk-up music: An introduction to suck
Chicago Breaking Sports: Cubs end organ-played at-bat music at Wrigley

Tyler Colvin batted leadoff yesterday for the first time... ESPN's Tim Kurkjian includes Starlin Castro in his under-24 team of top MLB prospects... Cubs' 3rd round pick and catcher out of LSU Micah Gibbs has signed with the team and will be reporting to Single-A ball soon... Former 1st round pick Josh Vitters is 6 for his last 13 and is getting hot after a slow start.

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