A Whole Lotta Nuthin'
Cubs Can't Do Squat Against Padres, Lose 1-0

Jason O. Watson/US PRESSWIRE

Poor Randy Wells. He held the National League's top team to one run over seven innings, struck out six... and still lost. Why? Because the Cubs love hitting into double plays like Rod Blagojevich loves the spotlight. The North Siders hit into three twin-killings last night, including one to end a first-and-third threat in the eighth inning. The Cubs also went 0-7 with runners in scoring position. Blake DeWitt hit what looked like a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth, but it was caught right at the wall. Story of this season.

ESPN Chicago: Padres win eighth in last nine as Jon Garland... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Garland outduels Wells as Cubs fall 1-0 to Padres
Daily Herald: Wells steps up, but it's still not enough to get a victory
CSN Chicago: Wells makes his pitch but Cubs shut out by Padres
MLB: Wells, Cubs on short end of duel with Padres [+ video]

There's Something About Harry
Caray Statue to Be Moved Closer to Bleachers
We've never been a fan of that Harry Caray statue by Addison and Sheffield — there's something unsettling about his expression and the contorted faces around his legs. But that statue has created some controversy recently, as the Cubs want to move it closer to the bleachers and replace it with a statue of Billy Williams. This hasn't gone over well with Caray's family, according to the Chicago Tribune, and it could be a reason Harry's widow Dutchie backed out of singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" recently. The plot thickens....

Chicago Tribune: Potential move of Harry Caray statue upsets family

Hassling the Hoff
Why Isn't Hoffpauir Getting Time at First?
It's a given that Derrek Lee is gone after this year. So the Beachwood Reporter has a question: Why are we seeing Xavier Nady (who's likely also gone) at first base, instead of Micah Hoffpauir? You remember Hoffpauir: Last year, he hit a solid 12 homers in 234 at-bats for the Cubs, and he's got 22 dingers in Triple-A this year. Granted, he plays pretty unremarkable defense, and he might well be the next Crash Davis — i.e., a player who's not quite good enough to excel in the majors. But why not give him a shot?

The Beachwood Reporter: Bring back the Hoff

The Blame Game
Is Cubs' Century of Woe Wrigley's Fault?
Here's a theory: Maybe it's Wrigley Field's fault that the Cubs haven't won it all in 102 years. Why? For starters, the changing wind patterns make Wrigley "a Jekyll & Hyde park," says self-appointed baseball soothsayer Steve Stone. Then there's the lack of proper batting cages, the antiquated training and therapeutic facilities, and the preponderance of day games, which "takes its toll," says former Cub Juan Pierre. It seems silly, but in the past 70 years the Cubs have won 50 or more games at home exactly three times. But this is just an excuse, right?

USA Today: Why can't Cubs win? Quirks at Wrigley Field among theories

Please, Mr. Postman
Ashes to Ashes... But Not at Wrigley Field
We always learn something in Paul Sullivan's mailbag. For instance, the Cubs get so many requests to scatter ashes at the Friendly Confines that they have to deny them, lest the park look like the area around Mt. St. Helen's. Also, we learn that hopeful third-baseman-of-the-future Josh Vitters isn't ready for the major leagues, which doesn't bode well given Aramis Ramirez's brutal season. And who's on first next year? Could be Adam Dunn. Works for us.

Chicago Tribune: Paul Sullivan's Cubs' mailbag

Geovany Soto's injured shoulder will likely keep him off the field until Sunday... The Cubs were shutout for the ninth time this season... Carlos Marmol recorded his 100th strikeout, making him only the second Cubs' reliever to hit that mark. (The other was Bruce Sutter, who did it three times)... We're not one to post White Sox highlights, but man, did we love this.

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