Getting Stubbed
Drew Stubbs' 2 RBIs Push Reds Past Cubs

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Stop us if you've heard this one before: the Cubs' pitching did its job, but the offense couldn't pull its weight. The 4-3 loss dropped the Cubs' record to 3-9 against Dusty Baker's (grrr) Reds, as new Cub killer Drew Stubbs went 3-4 with a homer and two RBIs. The North Siders rallied in a bizarre ninth inning, using four walks and a hit-by-pitch to score two. But Marlon Byrd struck out with the bases loaded to end the game. The Cubs are 1-9 in their last 10 games. When does rebuilding start again?

ESPN Chicago: Stubbs busts slump with homer, 2 RBIs to lead... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: No clutch hitting for Cubs again in 4-3 loss
Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs loss leaves bad aftertaste
Daily Herald: Stubbs lifts Reds over Cubs with tie-breaking homer...
MLB: Cubs unable to take charge in wild ninth [+ video]

The Best, Worst of Times
Hendry: Managing Cubs Ain't All It's Cracked up to Be
You'd think managing the Cubs would be a dream, but Jim Hendry says the position is a "double-edged sword." The gig is a "marquee job," Hendry acknowledged, but he also said "the weight of the world is on you." Hendry is revving up his search and will be interviewing some 15 candidates. He also noted that the perception of the job would be much different if the Cubs "had one more good inning that night against the Marlins in Game 6" of the 2003 NLCS. Had to bring that one up, didn't you, Jim?

ESPN Chicago: GM: Managing Cubs a challenge

The Big Fix
How the Cubs Can Compete... in 2013
There's always next year, right? The guys over at Net Dugout aren't as optimistic, but they do see a light at the end of the tunnel — in 2013. They've broken down the good contracts (Marlon Byrd), the bad contracts (Alfonso Soriano), the young guys (Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro), and up-and-coming prospects (Brett Jackson). The bottom line: they think the farm system will bring up some serious players, and Cubs will be locked and loaded by 2013. Waiting three more years is a drag, but hey, we've made it this long....

Net Dugout: A 3-year plan to fix the Cubs

Stayin' Alive
Cubs Keep One Fan's Heart Beating
The Cubs bring you down. They make you so sad and depressed, right? Maybe you'll get some perspective when you read the remarkable story of Jim Bastian. This Chicago native and current California resident has lived through ruptured arteries, kidney failure, and 10 (TEN!) heart attacks. Last rites have been administered to him four times. Yet Bastian is not only still alive, but the lifelong Cubs fan says he's still hopeful. "You gotta be optimistic," he said. "If you get knocked down, you get up and play again." What were you saying about being all bummed out again? Exactly.

Orange County Register: World's greatest Cubs fan whips sorrow

A Tale of Two Pitchers
One Hurler Needs Work, One Looks Promising
We were psyched about Brett Wallach when we got him in the Dodgers trade. He has the right pedigree (his dad is former major leaguer Tim Wallach) and a good fastball, but his walk numbers are higher than fans at a Phish concert. Last night, Wallach struck out three in three plus innings, but walked four and allowed seven runs. Meanwhile, unheralded Austin Bibens-Dirkx threw six innings and allowed three runs. His record at Triple-A is now 4-0 with a 2.52 ERA. Maybe you don't need an impressive baseball name, after all.

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Cubs minor league wrap

Starlin Castro was almost beaned in the head in the ninth inning yesterday, but the ball glanced off his shoulder as he hit the deck... Tyler Colvin is in a 2-21 slump and will get another day off today... Geovany Soto has a mild ligament sprain in his shoulder and will miss today's game after sitting out Saturday... Tune in to Hit and Run on The Score 670-AM at 11:20am today, when Fan Report editor-in-chief Joel Reese will talk all things Cubs.

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