Getting Rocked
Rockies Pound Cubs 17-2, Break MLB Record

Jeff Hanisch/US PRESSWIRE

Wow. What can we say? Allowing 21 hits and losing by 15 runs is, well, awful. But the Rockies set a Major League record last night by getting 11 straight hits in an inning. (The Rockies scored 12 friggin' runs in the 8th inning WITH TWO OUTS!) It wasn't just the thin air of Coors Field either, as the Cubs' offense managed just two runs on four hits. Ryan Dempster started with an unimpressive five runs in four innings, but the dunce cap goes to Andrew Cashner for not retiring a single batter and allowing six runs. D'oh!

ESPN Chicago: Gonzalez, Stewart, Fowler spark Rockies' rout of... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Cubs blown out 17-2
CSN Chicago: Cubs Notes: Lilly, Theriot sit through historic loss
MLB: Cubs rocked by 12-run eighth in Colorado

Burying the Hatchet
Zambrano Apologizes, So Maybe It's All Over (?)
Thankfully, it looks like Zambranogate may finally be over, as Big Z said he was sorry to his teammates last night. "I apologize to the fans too, and just want to move on and be at peace with everybody," Zambrano said. He even told the Cubs he'd waive his no-trade clause if the team found someone to take his contract (good luck, Jim!). If you think Zambrano is a new man, we should point out he took some jabs at the local media for printing things that "wasn't true." Some things never change.

Chicago Breaking Sports: Zambrano apologizes, says he'd OK trade
ESPN Chicago 'Contrite' Zambrano returns to Cubs

Ill-Logic
Lilly Goes (Probably), Big Z Stays. What the...?
We all know Ted Lilly — who's been nothing but solid as a Cub — is on the trading block. Meanwhile, Carlos Zambrano is back on the team after embarrassing the organization and himself. Does this make sense? In an ideal world, wouldn't it be the other way around? Bruce Miles sure seems to think so, and he's not going to take it. "Talk about a sport turned on its head," an obviously frustrated Miles writes. You can mull this — we're going to our happy place now.

Daily Herald: When it comes to the Cubs, some things belie logic

Let's Make a Deal
A Look Back at Hendry's Past Trades
The trade deadline is Jim Hendry's time to shine. Or not. Chicago Breaking Sports points out he's made some awesome deals (getting Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramirez for zilch), but he's also whiffed on others: remember who we got for Greg Maddux in 2006? The immortal Cesar Izturis, who was supposed to be the answer at shortstop. He... umm... wasn't. Maybe next year, we'll be in first place and this year's deadline moves (or non-moves) will be what made the team competitive again. Hey, we can dream can't we?

Chicago Breaking Sports: Cubs' Hendry has history of deadline deals

Unexpected Returns
Prospect from DeRosa Trade Looks Good
Cubdom just about exploded in rage when fan favorite Mark DeRosa was traded in 2008 for some no-name minor leaguers. One of those prospects was Chris Archer, and check it out: After putting up great numbers at Single-A (7-1 with a 2.86 ERA, 82 Ks in 72.1 IP), he was promoted to Double-A Tennessee. Since the promotion, the 21-year-old righty has yet to give up an earned run through five starts. (Yes, his ERA since the move is 0.00.) At this rate, Archer could be up sooner than anyone expected. Mark Who? Exactly.

Daily Herald: Aramis, trade talk, Ryno, minors

Lou Piniella will miss the next three games to attend an uncle's funeral... Reliever Bob Howry was released to make room for Carlos Zambrano... ESPN's Buster Olney thinks Ted Lilly will be a Dodger before todays' trading deadline... Muscle Milk is offering several cool Cubs prizes this summer, starting with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field. Hurry, you must enter by Sunday to be eligible.

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