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Maybe it was more than a coincidence the Chicago Cubs and the City of Chicago finally announced an official plan on Sunday night for renovating Wrigley Field just hours after arguably the worst loss of the young season.

A distraction was needed.

Forget the rebuilding, the talent gap, the future, and yes, forget about what the new-and-improved Wrigley Field might look like for a moment. Two weeks into the 2013 season the Cubs have given new meaning to giving away games.

Getting beat soundly by a more talented team is one thing, but making stupid and silly mistakes to lose games is a whole other. Especially so recently removed from spring training. Really, Scott Feldman? Covering first base wasn't drilled enough in February and March?

And consider this: After 12 games the Cubs have combined to score and give up a total 15 runs in the ninth inning already. That's by far the most in the league and might be a reason alone to extend those beer sales the Cubs are planning on doing after stadium renovation is complete. Something has to get fans through those blown saves. Four different pitchers already have the dubious honor of owning one.

At the top of the list has to be Sunday's finish. One strike away from a pretty good win over the San Francisco Giants, Shawn Camp gave up a home run to Hunter Pence to tie the game 7-7. Balking in the go-ahead run the next inning was just icing on the cake. Add throwing five wild pitches in an inning while walking four batters -- as the Cubs did in the sixth -- and you have what a Hollywood script might look like. But this is Cub reality right now. A horror show for sure.

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CHICAGO -- In Tom Ricketts' short tenure as chairman of the Chicago Cubs, the team has been awful, attendance has gone down and the long-awaited celebratory shovel still hasn't hit the ground to renovate Wrigley Field.]

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The Wrigley Field renovation proposal that was agreed to by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Tom Tunney does not address how soon the baseball department headed by Theo Epstein will be able to add significant free agents.

During Tom Ricketts press conference at Wrigley on Monday morning the question of how quickly the team can spend as freely as other big-market clubs was asked.

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Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said Monday that the framework for a deal to renovate Wrigley Field, which was agreed to by the City of Chicago, will bring a World Series to a fan base that hasn't seen a championship since 1908.

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CHICAGO -- The historic home of the Chicago Cubs will get a $500 million facelift, including its first electronic outfield video board, as part of a hard-fought agreement announced Sunday night between the City of Chicago and the ball team.

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There are those who believe that any competent reliever can be put in a save situation and succeed. With their play of late, the Cubs are trying to disprove that theory. With two strikes and two down, closer du jour Shawn Camp failed to lock down the game by giving up a solo home run to Hunter Pence to tie things up at seven.

"I've faced (Pence) probably ten times and I've made that pitch a thousand times in my career," Camp said. "It's just a hanging breaking ball and he hits hanging breaking balls. In that situation, it just can't happen, it's unacceptable. It cost us the game."

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Where ever Edwin Jackson has pitched, he's been dogged by consistency issues. Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Giants was just a microcosm of his career.

After allowing one run in a 28-pitch first inning, Jackson cruised through the next four, allowing only one run, while striking out eight and walking one. However, when Jackson came out for the sixth, it appeared as though his first-inning struggles returned.

"(In the first) he was coming after them with a lot of fastballs, got two quick outs with his fastball," manager Dale Sveum said. "Luckily he only gave up one run out of it. (He) settled down, found his slider, had his fastball then all of a sudden completely lost his fastball. (He) was spiking his fastball and obviously it snowballed out of control."

By the time the top of the sixth ended, the Cubs 4-1 lead had vanished and Jackson was long gone. Jackson said his ultimate undoing was his failure to make adjustments when he lost his feel for his fastball.

"It's no excuses, it shouldn't be something that I allow to affect an inning like that, especially when the team's done a good job," Jackson said. "Those guys bust their butts to get you a lead and it's up to you to hold it. We don't have a pitcher on this staff who shouldn't be able to control a game when you have a (three-)run lead. I can't let the team down like that in one inning when they fought so hard to get you a lead like that."

The mood in the clubhouse after the loss was understandably somber. The Cubs battled the defending World Champion Giants for four games, but came away with only one victory. The 4-8 Cubs have played better than their record at times, but when losses like Sunday become the norm, it can lead to the unraveling of a season.

"That's up to the players, as much as anything," Sveum said about the team avoiding getting in a funk over their losing ways. "I've had my meetings and that. To lose games, you know, whatever reason you want to say we lost that game. The guys battled, we had the lead, we swung the bats good early, got some big hits. We took the lead and had two outs, two strikes."

The Chicago Cubs claimed a dubious record during Sunday's 10-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants as two pitchers combined for five wild pitches in one inning.

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Let's take a quick look at the Cubs' 10-7 loss to the Giants on Sunday at Wrigley Field.

How it Happened: The Cubs quickly jumped out to a lead, putting a four spot up in the bottom of the first inning on a pair of two-run homers by Starlin Castro and Nate Schierholtz off Giants starter Tim Lincecum. An ugly sixth inning for the Cubs saw Edwin Jackson and reliever Michael Bowden combine for four walks and five wild pitches (the latter a regular season record for an inning, according to ESPN Stats & Info) as the Giants plated four in the frame. The Cubs fought back to take a 7-6 lead in the eighth, only to see Camp blow his first save attempt of the season, giving up a solo home run to Hunter Pence. Camp gave up three more in the 10th, one via a balk, as the Giants went on to win 10-7.

What it Means: Jackson looked brilliant through five with eight strikeouts and only one walk. But the inconsistent righty seemed to lose his command in the sixth, walking two and tossing two wild pitches in the inning. Jackson has moments of brilliance, but it's those types of innings that have frustrated numerous teams during his time in the big leagues.

Under the Radar: Starlin Castro slugged his second home run of the season in the first inning, a feat he didn't accomplish until May 17th last season. While the young shortstop has yet to draw a walk this season, the increase in power (.519 slugging percentage) is definitely a positive sign. Castro has hits in 10 of the Cubs 12 games, six of them being multi-hit games.

What's Next: The Cubs start a three game set with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. A pair of lefties take the mound as Travis Wood faces Derek Holland at 7:05 pm at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs signed relief pitcher Kevin Gregg to a minor league deal on Sunday.

Gregg was one of the last cuts this spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gregg saved 23 games and had a 4.72 ERA with the Cubs in 2009. Along with the Cubs, he's spent parts of ten seasons with the Angels, Marlins, Blue Jays and, most recently, the Orioles. He's racked up 144 saves and a 4.13 ERA for his career.

CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs catcher-infielder Steve Clevenger was placed on the 60-day DL Sunday after an MRI revealed a left oblique strain. Clevenger fell and remained on the ground for several moments after striking out to end Saturday's 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

"As soon as I swung, I just felt like somebody stuck a knife in my side," Clevenger said. "The reason I wasn't moving is because I couldn't breathe too good, so I just kinda stayed down just trying to catch my breath as quick as possible."

Placing Clevenger on the 60-day DL opened a spot on the Cubs 40-man roster. To fill that void, the Cubs claimed pitcher Kameron Loe off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. Loe made four relief appearances with the Mariners this season, pitching 6 2/3 innings, with a 10.80 ERA, three strikeouts and one walk. In nine seasons, In nine seasons, Loe has amassed a 4.44 ERA and four saves in 306 career big league appearances, all but 47 in relief, with the Rangers, Brewers and Mariners.

Clevenger was one of the last players to make the club out of spring training. Manager Dale Sveum was quick to point out how hard Clevenger had worked and how he came into camp in great shape.

"I worked my butt off this offseason to get stronger and in better shape and then this happens," Clevenger said. "It's definitely frustrating, at the same time I'm not going to let it get to me. I'm determined to get my work in and get back as soon as possible."

Clevenger missed five weeks last season with a right oblique injury. Clevenger blamed neither his previous injury nor the cold weather for this latest setback, calling it a ‘freak' injury. Rest, rehab and getting treatment are what Clevenger has to look forward to over the next month-plus as he works his way back to health.

"(Oblique injuries) are just a big pain," Sveum said. "I don't think I've ever seen one that's been less than three weeks."

Clevenger gave Sveum the luxury of having three catchers, which allowed him to pinch hit back-up catcher Dioner Navarro. Navarro already has two pinch hit home runs on the season. Most managers try not to use their back-up catcher in such roles in the fear that they'll be left without anyone behind the plate in the case of an injury to the starter. However, Clevenger's presence alleviated those fears for Sveum.

"You could see you that bench was able to work correctly with three catchers," Sveum said. "Kind of makes it easier for a manager to mix and match at the end of games. So, yeah, it's very unfortunate."

I wouldn't say you're without it, you probably have to be a little choosier. Sometimes you just have to (do it). If it's going to win you a game in the seventh inning, you just have to say, ‘Hey Castillo, don't get hurt.'"

The Cubs will play Sunday's finale against the Giants with 24 men on the roster. After an off day on Monday, second baseman Darwin Barney will be called up on Tuesday to take Clevenger's roster spot. Barney is on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa. He has been on the DL since Opening Day with a left knee laceration.

CHICAGO -- Alfonso Soriano has had slow starts in the past but nothing close to the unproductive offensive drought he has experienced the first eleven games of this season.

Soriano seems reassured by last season’s rebound after a nasty six-week slump. He was able to turn his season around in mid-May, ending the season with a career-high 104 RBI. The Cubs veteran outfielder seems more focused on the Cubs record than his subpar at-bats so far in 2013.

“I am not happy with the record, but I am happy the way we have played," he said. “We have played hard and smart most of the time. I think when the weather gets better and we put it all together, we will be a better team."

A quiet confidence that burns inside the Dominican player allows him to move forward with his daily plan while staying positive. Soriano had played the first ten games of the season with only one extra-base hit and no runs batted in.

"I know myself and have a lot of confidence in myself," he said. "After only ten games, I feel my swing is getting better. Right now, they aren’t giving me good pitches to hit so I try to make adjustments. As soon as they start pitching to me and I have my swing in place, I will be fine.”

Soriano didn’t hit a home run in the Cubs' first 41 games of 2012. He then proceeded to hit 32 home runs in the next 121 games.

"I have been doing this forever," he said. "A young player might panic if he goes into a bad streak, but the guys who play a long time believe in themselves like I do. I am still here for that reason, so my confidence never goes down. I have talent that God gave me, so I never lose my belief I can do well. I feel like this is the second spring training. This one is in cold weather. I have been working hard. Sooner or later, everything will be better.”

After getting three hits on Saturday, the 37-year-old Cub said he is still open to a trade if management comes to him during the season. Soriano has one year left after 2012 on his original eight-year, $136 million mega deal.

"I will listen to whatever they are thinking about, “ he related. "I would like to stay because I like the owner and the baseball people. I don’t want to say I have to finish my contract here because I don’t want to put pressure on them. I don’t want to put pressure on me, either. It is open if they want to trade me to a contender. I hope we are contending and we don’t have to talk about me being traded.“

Chicago Cubs catcher Dioner Navarro made some history when he slugged a pinch-hit two-run home run off of San Francisco Giants starter Madison Bumgarner in the seventh inning of Saturday’s 3-2 defeat. It was the second day in a row Navarro came off the bench and went yard.

“I know I have a chance to pinch hit every day with an extra catcher [on the roster],” he said afterward. “I just get myself mentally ready and just go out there and swing.”

According to Stats, Inc. Navarro became just the third Cub in history to hit pinch-hit home runs in back-to-back games, and he did it from opposite sides of the plate. On Friday, he homered from the left side in the ninth inning to tie the game at three, then did it from the right side on Saturday to bring the Cubs within one.

“It’s a bittersweet situation,” Navarro stated. “I wish it could have been like yesterday where I could have tied the game.”

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it’s the first time a pinch hitter has homered from opposite sides of the plate in back-to-back games since Todd Benzinger of the Los Angeles Dodgers did it in 1992.

“I’m watching him pitch the whole game, whether it’s in the dugout or in the clubhouse,” Navarro said of his preparation. “I was looking for a fastball, and I got one and fortunately did not miss it.”

The two long balls in two days were the first two pinch-hit home runs of Navarro’s career.

It’s becoming a trend for the Chicago Cubs. A left-handed starter takes the mound against them, and they produce little on offense.

This time, it was San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner who shut them down for six innings before finally giving in to pinch-hitter Dioner Navarro in the Cubs' 3-2 defeat on Saturday.

Navarro homered, but it’s the starting nine that needs help. It’s the third time this season the Cubs have been nearly shut out by a southpaw. The starting group -- consisting of at least seven right-handed hitters -- has produced exactly one run in those three games.

“You also have to look at who we faced,” Scott Hairston said after the game. “Those guys are known to have really good stuff.”

Wandy Rodriguez of Pittsburgh, Mike Minor of Atlanta and now Bumgarner do have good stuff, but one run combined against them? In three games?

Maybe manager Dale Sveum needs to stay with his regular core instead of loading up on the righties.

“These guys are on the team for a reason,” Sveum said of Scott Hairston and others. “Everybody has their role, and right now, Hairston is going to play against lefties, [Dave] Sappelt is going to play against lefties. We’re going to put the best lineup out there to be able to slug and do things.”

Add Brent Lillibridge to the list that starts against left-handers as well. The Cubs are hitting .200 against them, with an on-base percentage of .259, which rank 11th and 12th in the National League, respectively.

Sveum often mentions slugging percentage in explaining why he sits the lefties against lefty pitchers. Sappelt and Hairston, in particular, do have better percentages than those they play in favor of.

But is it the right move to sit the second-leading hitter -- Nate Schierholtz -- on a weak hitting team or a hot hitter in David DeJesus? DeJesus homered and had three hits just the day before.

“These [lefty pitchers] are the type of guys you have to pop a three run home run to beat them,” Sveum said in explaining his righty lineup. “It makes the pitcher work that much harder when runners are in scoring position.”

But only if those righties do something with their chances. It’s a small sample size, but Sappelt is hitting .071, Hairston .100 and Lillibridge .042.

“Everybody tries to do an adjustment, especially with a lefty,” Starlin Castro said. “Every right-hander [thinks] it’s easy to hit left-handers, but it’s not.”

Sveum lamented the chances the righties had early in the game.

“We have a chance to take the lead a couple times before they scored, which changes the game around,” he said. “We didn’t put the ball in play when guys were in scoring position.”

Yet Sveum vows to stick with his right-handed lineup against the southpaws. He might need to re-think that strategy.

Quotable:

“Major league players need to make those plays. That’s the bottom line.”
-Sveum, on recent defensive miscues

“That’s two games in a row. That’s unacceptable. That’s on me.”
-Jeff Samardzija, on walking the opposing pitcher in each of his past two starts.