Dropping the Ball
Soto Drops Throw in 9th, Cubs Lose 4-1

Dennis Wierzbicki/US PRESSWIRE

The Cubs played a fantastic bit of small ball yesterday, it's just too bad they couldn't hang on to it. The offense scratched a run across with a rare suicide squeeze in the seventh and Carlos Marmol came in to close the 1-0 game in the ninth. Unfortunately, he couldn't find the zone and walked five (FIVE!) in two-thirds of an inning. But the play of the game happened when Geovany Soto dropped Tyler Colvin's perfect throw to the plate, which would've ended the game. "Nobody's responsible for this game but me," Soto said. We hate to agree, but....

ESPN Chicago: Polanco drives in tying run in return from DL... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Cubs blow victory in 9th
Chicago Sun-Times: A fault in battery
Daily Herald: Phillies score 4 in 9th to beat Marmol, Cubs 4-1
MLB: Soto, Marmol take blame for Cubs' loss [+ video]

Alive and Wells
Randy Wells Is Back to 2009 Form
Lost in yesterday's soul-crushing loss was this fact: Pitcher Randy Wells is back. He was great last year, going 12-10 with a 3.05 ERA. But he struggled mightily this year, posting a whopping 6.14 ERA in June and prompting talk he should be replaced in the rotation. Over his last four starts, though, Wells struck out 23 in 27 2/3 innings while sporting a 1.63 ERA. "I've gotten some confidence back and my mechanics worked out," Wells says. Welcome back, Randy. We missed you.

MLB: Cubs' Wells continues to make strides

Game, Setup, Match
Sean Marshall Dominating as Setup Man
Carlos Marmol may be getting all the attention in the bullpen, but Sean Marshall also deserves some kudos for his work as eighth-inning setup man. Coming into the season, we didn't know if he'd start or work as a long reliever, but Angel Guzman's injury created an opening and Marshall has been dominating ever since. Three numbers tell the story: a tiny 1.91 ERA, a ridiculous 1.02 WHIP, and a sick .201 opposing hitters' batting average. It's about time the big lefty gets some recognition, so here it is.

Chicago Tribune: Marshall continues to impress
Daily Herald: Marshall steadily earns Piniella's praise

The Lilly That Never Sleeps
Is Ted Lilly Headed to the Mets?
The Ted Lilly rumors continue, and the latest is that the New York Mets are interested in trading for the crafty lefty. Jim Hendry has to make a tough call: trading Lilly would make it look like he's giving up on this season and focusing on the future. On the other hand, Lilly will be a free agent after this season and his trade value should be pretty high now that Cliff Lee is off the market. MLB Trade Rumors takes a quick look at what level of prospects the Cubs might expect in return.

Cubbies Crib: What to do with Ted Lilly?
MLB Trade Rumors: Ted Lilly's trade value

In His Defense
Soriano's Glove Work Improving
Alfonso Soriano will never be famous for his defense (although that stupid hop did become infamous), but he's been quietly improving. It's definitely paid off — the diving grab he made on Friday was a play he admitted he wouldn't have made earlier this season. His teammates have noticed the difference: "He's trying to be like me on defense, and I'm trying to be like him on offense," Marlon Byrd said. For all the money Soriano is making, it's nice to see he's making an effort. Now about laying off that low and away curveball....

Chicago Tribune: Soriano's defense coming around
Chicago Sun-Times: Soriano hits the ground running in the outfield

The Des Moines Register is reporting Carlos Zambrano will pitch in Iowa on Tuesday or Wednesday... Starlin Castro made a fantastic, web-gem quality play worth watching again... Joey Votto now says he was joking when he was a jag about the Cubs at the All-Star Game.

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