Freak, Out
Cubs Rough up Lincecum in 8-6 Win over Giants

Jason O. Watson/US PRESSWIRE

Given that the Cubs had lost 11 of 12 going into last night, and they were facing San Francisco's ace Tim "The Freak" Lincecum, we weren't exactly optimistic. But the North Siders tagged Lincecum — whose nickname comes from being so dominant despite his slight frame — for six runs, highlighted by a Kosuke Fukudome two-run homer and Starlin Castro's three RBIs. On the Cubs' side, Ryan Dempster allowed three in 6 2/3 innings. Carlos Marmol gave up two in the ninth to make it terrifying interesting, but he eventually sealed the deal. We'll take it.

ESPN Chicago: Cubs tag Tim Lincecum for 6 runs en route to win... [+ video]
Chicago Breaking Sports: Cubs edge Giants 8-6
CSN Chicago: Cubs knock out Lincecum, hang on for win
MLB: Cubs batter Giants' ace, survive errors [+ video]

Ryno's Surprising Fan
Cards' Ozzie Smith Backs Sandberg for Cubs' Manager
Who should be the Cubs' skipper next year? If you ask former Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith, Ryne Sandberg is the easy call. Smith came out of nowhere yesterday to give Ryno his endorsement, saying, "He has paid his dues. He has been a standup citizen. He is a Hall of Famer. I don't know exactly what it is they are looking for, but I think it should be a no-brainer.... Wouldn't that be a great story?" Well, yes, it would. But we don't wan't a story — we want a winner.

Quad-City Times: Smith says Cubs should pick Ryno as manager

A Fan's Notes
Here's Why We Love the Cubs
If you thought about it objectively, you wouldn't be a Cubs fan. There's simply too much financial and emotional damage to be wrought here. And yet... here we are. Why? And Counting has put together a gorgeous write-up on the reasons for Cubs fandom. The writer gives many reasons for his fanaticism, including, "I can't help but remember how happy I was the first time I saw with my own naive eyes the lush green blanket of grass that covered Wrigley Field." Yep, that sounds about right.

And Counting: How the Cubs became my fountain of youth

Here's the Catch
Who Will Be the Next Koyie Hill?
With Geovany Soto out with a dinged shoulder, we have to wonder about the Cubs' backup-catcher situation. Bleacher Nation evaluates the top three candidates, Welington Castillo (who was called up yesterday), Steve Clevenger (that name just has stardom written all over it, doesn't it?), and Robinson Chirinos. Castillo is apparently the most promising prospect, with decent defense and some pop in his bat — he hit 13 HRs and 17 doubles in 227 plate appearances in Iowa. Will any of these guys compete for Hill's spot in 2011?

Bleacher Nation: Chicago Cubs prospect primer: Castillo, Clevenger, Chirinos...

Bottoms Up
One Way to Keep Watching: Booze
The Beachwood Reporter has a good way to help dull this season's pain — a Cubs drinking game. Here are some of the rules: "Take a drink every time you say out loud, 'Who the hell is this guy?'" Take a drink every time a Cubs reliever enters the game with sub-4.00 ERA — then drink again if that ERA is still under 4.00 when he leaves the game. Or you could take a drink for every game closer to last place the Cubs go, but that's just harsh.

The Beachwood Reporter: The Spiral Toward Last Place Drinking Game

Want to hang out with the Cubs for a good cause? Ryan Dempster's charity has an event on Aug. 19 at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab... Former Cub and current Boise Hawks manager Jody Davis was suspended six games for forfeiting on Saturday... If you're at a game with your girlfriend and a foul ball comes your way, don't do this.

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