Hope Sinks
Silva Stinks up the Joint in 11-5 Loss

Jerry Lai/US PRESSWIRE

If you held out any hope the Cubs might rise from the ashes like a phoenix, last night was a rude awakening. Carlos Silva has become the pitcher the Mariners were glad to lose, giving up five runs in a one-inning stint against a bad Astros team. Indeed, every Cubs pitcher surrendered at least one earned run. The offense looked decent, posting five runs and getting homers from Tyler Colvin and Aramis Ramirez (how about you do this in May, A-Ram?). But we're thinking this year isn't the year.

ESPN Chicago: Astros ride early 8-0 lead to victory against Cubs [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Silva rocked as Astros roll over Cubs
Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs doomed from the start
Daily Herald: Silva doesn't make it past first inning in loss
MLB: Silva's short night a rough one for Cubs [+ video]

Thumbs down in Dominican?
Cubs' Facilities in DR Are Intolerable, Time Magazine Says
The Cubs have made a strong effort to develop a presence in the Dominican Republic, but a story in the July 26 Time magazine (not available online) says the team's facilities there are brutal. While the Padres' facility is described as "like a resort," the Time reporter describes the Cubs as piling "10 prospects into a room that could at best comfortably fit two or three." Jim Hendry strongly defended the Cubs' facilities, saying, "We certainly feel like our whole situation down there is well above average," adding the team plans to build a new facility. Interesting.

MLB: Cubs upset by Time portrayal of DR complex

Colvin's Crusade
Outfielder in the Mix for ROY Award
Everyone thought the Cubs flubbed when they tabbed Tyler Colvin in the first round of the 2006 draft. Indeed, Baseball America had him as the 170th-ranked him prospect. But the rangy outfielder could make a run for the Rookie of the Year award, the Sun-Times notes. Braves' monster Jason Heyward has more hype, but Colvin has more homers. Indeed, Colvin is tied with New York's Ike Davis for the rookie homer lead, even though Davis has 295 at-bats to Colvin's 200. Cross your fingers.

Chicago Sun-Times: Colvin challenging NL's top rookies

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Waving the White Flag
Does Strong Play Against Phils Change Hendry's Agenda?
Any Chicago baseball fan remembers the White Sox's "White Flag Trade" of 1997. Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf didn't like his chances despite being only 3.5 games back, so he traded several big-name players for prospects. Jim Hendry must now mull a similar move, and no one would blame him for trading anyone he can. But maybe he's thinking twice now that the team is 3-2 since the All-Star Game, although last night was a grim reminder of this team's mediocrity. What should he do? The Cub Reporter isn't quite sure. What do you think?

The Cub Reporter: Do the Cubs Have a White Flag in Their Future?

Ex Factor
A Look at Several Former Cubs
Remember Matt Murton? (Yes.) Wonder what he's up to? (Sure.) He's tearing it up in Japan, Agony & Ivy notes. The ginger-haired outfielder is batting .352 and might break Ichiro Suzuki's record for hits in a season. The blog also updates us on other former Cubs, including Angel Pagan, who's playing right field for the Mets with 40 RBIs and 20 steals; Corey Patterson, who's playing semi-decent ball for the Orioles; and the disproportionately beloved Mark DeRosa, who had season-ending surgery early this season. Don't ask about Casey McGehee.

Agony & Ivy: Ex-Cub report no. 2

Aramis Ramirez's homer was his 200th as a Cub... Carlos Zambrano pitched last night in Mesa, throwing a perfect inning... The Cubs are "close" to signing their second-round pick, Reggie Golden... First-round pick Hayden Simpson won't pitch for the Boise farm team this summer due to a case of mono.

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