Youth on Parade
Cubs' Rookies Can't Win Close One

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Two outs, top of the ninth. A runner on second. Starlin Castro at the plate. Does he get a hit? No, he strikes out on three pitches and the Cubs lose 5-4. Look at last night's game as growing pains, as six Cub rookies played. Starter Tom Gorzelanny gave up three in the first inning, but didn't allow another run until the sixth. Solo homers by Tyler Colvin and Marlon Byrd weren't enough, as Pat Burrell's long ball against someone named Justin Berg in the eighth was the difference. And so it goes.

ESPN Chicago: Burrell hits go-ahead HR as Giants nip Cubs [+ video]
Chicago Breaking Sports: Giants edge Cubs 5-4 on Burrell homer...
Daily Herald: Burrell's steady bat lifts Giants past Cubs 5-4
MLB: Rookie-filled roster can't top Giants [+ video]

Be Like Mike
Other Half of Cajun Connection Gets Traded
Not long ago, Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot were the Cubs' adorable Cajun Connection. The diminutive players were the double-play combination for the 2000 national champion LSU Tigers, and they were so cute you wanted to pinch their cheeks and watch them turn two. Now they're gone: Theriot was traded to the Dodgers, and Mike Fontenot was dealt yesterday to the Giants for Evan Crawford. The speedy outfielder hit .255 with 24 stolen bases in Single-A, but has 108 strikeouts against 35 walks. Hmm. Good luck, Lil' Fonty.

Chicago Tribune: Cubs trade Fontenot to Giants
ESPN Chicago: Cubs deal Mike Fontenot to Giants

Joe No Go
Is Girardi Too Prickly for Cubs?
Many people want Joe Girardi to be the Cubs' next manager, and here's why: He's from the Midwest, he played for the Cubs, and he has a World Series ring as the New York Yankees' manager. But buried in Phil Rogers' column yesterday is this: "Some question how happy the Yankees' franchise is with him, as he can be difficult and at times demanding for those who work with him." Hmmm. Do you think the affable Tom Ricketts wants to bring aboard someone who's difficult? We wonder.

Chicago Breaking Sports: Your morning Phil: melee, Guillen, Girardi

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The DL is N/A
Cubs' Injuries Not Why They Stink
We're always looking for reasons this season has, well... sucked. Could be the off-seasons of Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, the injury to Angel Guzman, or, of course, the barometric pressure. But one excuse we can't use is injuries. The Cubs have had their scrapes, but ChiCitySports points out the Cubs have had the fourth-lowest number of games lost to the disabled list in the NL Central. The Cincinnati Reds, for instance, have a 38 percent higher number of DL visits. Can we blame the food in the clubhouse?

ChiCitySports: Injuries not to blame for Cubs mess

Mo Money, Mo Problems
Cubs Pricey 'Studs' Playing Like Cheap Duds
We know the Cubs' most expensive players haven't exactly been worth their weight in gold. But Bruce Miles' blog points out how bad they've been: Alfonso Soriano's batting average this month is a measly .188, while Derrek Lee is at .240. And while Aramis Ramirez's .296 is a huge improvement from his brutal early season, is that what you want from your $16.8 million third baseman? (Hint: The correct answer is no.) Never fear, though — all these contracts will be off the books by... umm... 2014.

Daily Herald: Dog-day afternoon musings

Reliever John Grabow is done for the year after injuring his knee... To replace Mike Fontenot, the Cubs called up infielder Darwin Barney from Triple-A... Lou Piniella will rejoin the Cubs Friday in St. Louis... Mark Prior struck out five in a relief appearance yesterday for the Independent League's Orange County Flyers.

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