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CHICAGO -- Here's a quick look at the Chicago Cubs' 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday:

How it happened: The Cubs let a 2-0 lead slip away in the eighth inning after Julio Borbon called off Darwin Barney on a pop fly with two outs as the ball dropped safely. The Padres scored a run on that play and three more that inning after the tying run tallied on a passed ball. Everett Cabrera and Chase Headley had run-scoring singles as well. Shawn Camp and James Russell faltered in relief of Travis Wood who was very good. The Cubs scored their runs on a two-run home run by Scott Hairston in the seventh but that's all they managed.

What it means: The Cubs reverted to early-season form by making a mistake in the field and then letting it hurt afterwards. In this case it's the pitching that's more to blame as an extremely windy day was bound to cause havoc and the Cubs did make some very good defensive plays before Borbon and Barney's miscommunication. Bullpen struggles aren't new to this team but things had been going well as of late. Wood deserved a better fate after retiring the first 14 batters of the game but he's charged with the loss. ... As has been the case most of the year the Cubs scored with the long ball but did little else missing some early opportunities with runners on. They were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position while the Padres were 3-for-7.

What's next: The Cubs open a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds at 1:20 p.m. CT Friday with Carlos Villanueva opposing Mike Leake.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs surged ahead early in a 6-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in the third of a four-game set at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.

How it happened: Former Cub and No. 1 draft pick Andrew Cashner started for the first time against Chicago. Cashner was traded to San Diego for first baseman Anthony Rizzo in 2011. Manager Dale Sveum started seven left-handed hitters in his lineup. Starlin Castro started the scoring with an RBI single that plated Julio Borbon in the first inning. Cubs starting pitcher Scott Feldman doubled in the second run, scoring Darwin Barney in the second inning. Cashner's pitch count (76 through three innings) skyrocketed in the third, thanks in large part to a two-run double by catcher Dioner Navarro. Cashner’s 89th pitch was an RBI groundout off the bat of Luis Valbuena. Nate Schierholtz doubled home the sixth run in the seventh inning. San Diego second baseman Jedd Gyorko hits his first major league home run to break up Feldman's shutout in the eighth. Chase Headley homered with one out in the ninth.

What it means: The Cubs have won six of their past nine games. With a win on Thursday, they can wrap up their second straight series victory. Feldman pitched his first career complete game as he records his second consecutive win while striking out 12. That matches his career high. After a rough beginning to the season, the veteran pitcher has been outstanding as of late.

Outside the box: Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said infielder Ian Stewart is not ready to return to the major leagues; he's rehabbing a leg injury in the minors. Teams can send a player out for only 20 days on a rehab assignment. “You can always get recertified if you are not healthy yet," Epstein said. "He has had some bumps and bruises along the way. We will just monitor it daily and see how he is doing.” … Another rehab began for the Cubs as RHP Matt Garza threw 42 pitches in 2⅔ innings at Double-A on Wednesday. Garza is rehabbing from a strained side muscle he injured on Feb. 17. Sveum said Garza will return to the team in between minor league starts. He also stated his pitcher would be re-evaluated after the third outing.

Up next: Chicago LHP Travis Wood (2-1, 2.25 ERA) faces Padres LHP Eric Stults (2-2, 5.67 ERA) in Thursday's series finale.

SAN DIEGO -- Clayton Richard threw a five-hitter and the San Diego Padres swept the Chicago Cubs with a 2-0 win on Wednesday.

Richard (9-11), coming off one of his better starts of the season, held the Cubs to five singles and pitched out of trouble three times to hand Chicago its eighth straight loss.

Richard struck out five, walked one and hit a batter as the Cubs had a runner reach third base three times.

Chicago scored four runs -- all in Tuesday night's 7-4 loss -- and had 15 hits in the three-game series.

San Diego's runs came on Will Venable's RBI double in the second inning and Yonder Alonso's run-scoring single in the eighth.

Richard has three career complete games and two shutouts.

Jeff Samardzija (7-10) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked two.

In his last start, Richard gave up one run and scattered eight hits over seven innings in Friday's 3-1 win over the New York Mets.

San Diego scored the game's first run when Chase Headley led off the second with a double and scored one out later on Venable's double.

Chris Denorfia doubled with two outs in the ninth and went to third on first baseman Anthony Rizzo's error before Alonso blooped a single to left.

Chicago's Starlin Castro singled in the sixth to snap an 0-for-19 drought. Castro's single sent Alfonso Soriano to third after he was hit by a pitch with two outs and stole second. But Wellington Castillo grounded out to end the inning.

Samardzija struck out swinging to end the seventh inning and snapped his bat in two over his right leg.

SAN DIEGO -- Carlos Quentin hit a three-run homer, Ross Ohlendorf pitched effectively into the seventh inning and the San Diego Padres ruined Brooks Raley's major league debut Tuesday night with a 7-4 victory over the floundering Chicago Cubs.

Chase Headley and Everth Cabrera each drove in two runs for San Diego, which has won eight of 10 at home.

Chicago lost its seventh consecutive game and has been outscored 38-16 during the slide.

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New Cubs pitcher Brooks Raley started his major league career with a strikeout, but it went downhill not long after that.

The left=hander, who was called on to fill Matt Garza’s spot in the rotation, had some tough luck but was also his own worst enemy at times, while giving up seven runs over four innings.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum implores his young pitchers to stay in the strike zone, but Raley walked three and looked to box himself in during a four-run third inning by the Padres. The knockout punch came an inning later when Carlos Quentin hit a three run home run.

Two of those three walks given up by Raley came in the third inning. He loaded the bases for the first time in the inning in hard-luck fashion on a broken-bat single by Padres pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, a walk and a misplayed sacrifice bunt by third baseman Luis Valbuena.

Having to challenge Chase Headley on a 3-1 pitch, Raley gave up a two-run single to center field. He loaded the bases again on a walk to Quentin. Nearly out of the jam after getting two outs, Everth Cabrera then added his own two-run single.

In the fourth inning, two singles preceded Quentin’s three-run shot into the left-field seats.

As the Cubs go deeper into the depth chart after recent trades and injuries, their struggles only figure to increase. Not only have the Cubs lost every game since the day the non-waiver trade deadline arrived, they have had issues in multiple areas.

The pitching has had its problems, which wasn’t hard to predict with Ryan Dempster and Paul Maholm getting traded, not to mention Garza’s injury, but the offense has gotten worse when it was needed to help pick up the slack.

Over their seven-game losing streak the Cubs have been outscored 38-16.

Now comes the wait to see what the Cubs do with Garza’s spot in the rotation the next time it comes around Sunday at home against the Cincinnati Reds. But with guys like Chris Volstad and Justin Germano already in the rotation, their options are limited.

Sveum did suggest to reporters in San Diego before the game that he doesn’t plan on Raley getting just one chance in the rotation saying he plans on keeping the left-hander for the final seven weeks of the season.

CHICAGO -- The Cubs pulled off their first three-game sweep of the season with an 8-6 victory Wednesday over the San Diego Padres.

How it happened: Offense and relief pitching have been the Cubs' biggest issues this season but both came through Wednesday. The Cubs' late rally was capped off by a two-run walk-off home run from Darwin Barney. The bullpen did its part with 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Ryan Dempster had a rough outing giving up six runs on six hits in just 4 1/3 innings. He also had four walks.

What it means: Sometimes getting your offense back on track means going to unusual measures to do it. The Cubs got two RBIs from their No. 8 hitter (Steve Clevenger), one from the No. 9 spot (Ryan Dempster), got two walks with the bases loaded and a run in the eighth inning on two steals from Tony Campana and an infield single from Starlin Castro. Then came Barney's homer. It helped the Cubs to 24 runs against the Padres this week, the most in a three-game series this season.

Outside the box: Clevenger now has 13 hits in 26 at-bats this season, good for a .500 batting average. He also has four RBIs after collecting two in his first two at-bats Wednesday. The rest of the catchers that have been used by the Cubs this season (Koyie Hill, Welington Castillo, Geovany Soto and Blake Lalli) were a combined 27-for-162 (.167) with 12 RBIs.

Off Beat: For those who excel on a set time schedule, this stretch of Cubs games is not ideal. Starting with the Cubs' 1:20 p.m. CST start on Wednesday, they have a string of six games, all with different local starting times. All four games at San Francisco have different start times and then there is the opener at Milwaukee next week. The next six game times (listed as CST): 1:20 p.m., 9:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 3:05 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.

Up next: The Cubs are off on Thursday and then open a four-game series at San Francisco on Friday with left-hander Paul Maholm (4-3, 4.62 ERA) facing Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner (5-4, 3.14) in the 9:15 p.m. CST start from AT&T Park.

CHICAGO -- The Cubs made it two consecutive victories after ending their 12-game losing streak with a 5-3 triumph Tuesday over the San Diego Padres.

How it happened:Jeff Samardzija pitched well, ending a personal two-game losing streak, and the offense continued to show signs of life. Samardzija not only gave up three runs over seven innings with eight strikeouts, he also drove in a run in the fifth inning with a single. Shawn Camp offered Samardzija a little help in the eighth inning. He came on with the tying run at third base and nobody out and got a comebacker, line drive and fly ball to preserve the lead. James Russell got the final two outs for his first career save.

What it means: Samardzija continues to impress as a starter. He went a respectable 3-2 in six starts during the month of May but never allowed more than three runs in an outing. Tuesday was his fourth start this season with eight strikeouts or more. He struck out fewer than six batters just once in May. Samardzija could have easily been a perfect 6-0 in the month. He gave up one run in his no decision against the Brewers, just three runs in a defeat to the White Sox and just two runs in a defeat to the Astros.

Outside the box: Joe Mather appears to be getting his legs under him as a lineup regular. He had two hits, a walk and a run scored Tuesday while once again batting out of the No. 3 hole, a spot he has occupied since Friday at Pittsburgh. It is actually Mather’s third two-hit game since last Wednesday at Houston, the game before he was put in the No. 3 spot. While his lineup spot has been consistent over the last two series, he has started in center field and third base since the weekend.

Off beat: Alfonso Soriano seemed to turn back the clock in the sixth inning by making contributions on both offense and defense. In left field, he ended a run-scoring threat when he made a diving catch on a sinking line drive from Chris Denorfia and doubled off Eric Stults from second base to end the half inning. As the third batter up in the bottom of the sixth, Soriano crushed a home run to center field, his seventh. All of Soriano’s home runs have come since May 15.

Up next: The Cubs will send right-hander Ryan Dempster (0-3, 2.14 ERA) to the mound in Wednesday’s finale of a three-game series. The Padres will counter with right-hander Anthony Bass (2-5, 3.55) in the 1:20 p.m. start from Wrigley Field.

The trade that sent San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos to the Cincinnati Reds for right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez, first baseman Yonder Alonso, right handed pitcher Brad Boxberger and catcher Yasmani Grandal may have a ripple effect on what the Chicago Cubs do to try to fill their open first-base position.

The Padres have a logjam at first base with Alonso and 22-year-old Anthony Rizzo, who was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2007 amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox, when their drafts were run by Theo Epstein and Jason McLeod, who are now with the Cubs. Rizzo is now considered one of the top power hitting prospects in the game.

Epstein traded the young first baseman to Jed Hoyer, who was was the Padres GM last year and now is with the Cubs in the same role.

Rizzo was one of the players Epstein used to bring Adrian Gonzalez to Boston.

Of course, if the Cubs are indeed in the mix for Prince Fielder, this type of move will not take place.

Rizzo hit .331 with 26 home runs and 101 RBIs at Triple-A Tucson before hitting .141 in 128 at-bats with San Diego at the end of the season. He also struck out 46 times.

The Cubs still owe the Padres compensation for acquiring Hoyer. Any type of trade could solve that issue as well. The Padres are looking for young pitching and may inquire about Andrew Cashner or minor leaguer Trey McNutt.

The Rays are also said to be interested in Rizzo.

The reality of signing Fielder may be a stretch at this point. The Cubs may put in a bid, but it may not be for the amount of years he is looking for. Therefore, signing Rizzo fits more into the long-term game plan .

Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is back in the leadoff spot Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. Castro has hit in the three hole in four of the last five games, but he was just 2-for-17.

Here is the lineup:
Castro
Darwin Barney
Marlon Byrd
Aramis Ramirez
Jeff Baker
Geovany Soto
Alfonso Soriano
Reed Johnson

Here’s a quick look at the Cubs’ split of a day-night doubleheader with the Padres.

The good: The Cubs end the day at 9-9 tied with three other teams in the NL Central for first place after splitting two games with the Padres. Extra outfielder Reed Johnson is the day’s offensive hero. He had a walkoff homer in Game 1 and three hits in the second game.

The bad: Left-hander James Russell, making his second start of the season, gave up three homers in the loss. First baseman Carlos Pena went 0-for-6 in the doubleheader with four strikeouts.

Outside the box: Left fielder Alfonso Soriano now has a team-high six home runs and 14 RBIs after hitting a two-run homer in Game 2.

Next: The Cubs are off Thursday. On Friday, Casey Coleman takes on the Dodgers’ Chad Billingsley.

Left-hander James Russell did exactly what the Cubs wanted him to do in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Manager Mike Quade penciled in 70 pitches for the emergency starter. Russell delivered upon expectations, throwing 74 pitches in four innings. He allowed four runs, including three home runs.

The Cubs’ reliever had a quote right out of the movie “Bull Durham” after taking the 5-4 loss.

“For the most part all my pitches felt great,” Russell said. “It was that 0-1 curveball to [Ryan] Ludwig and I was right there with [Geovany Soto] on it. I made a good pitch and he it hit it out. I got behind [Cameron] Maybin in a fastball count. I threw him a fastball away and he barreled it. That’s just how it goes. Some days they hit it right at some guy. Some days they hit it out of the park.”

Russell was the first Cubs pitchers to give up three homers in a game since Tom Gorzelanny did it against the Reds on Aug. 27, 2010.

Although the Cubs split the doubleheader, the day belonged to extra outfielder Reed Johnson, who won the first game with a walkoff homer in the 11th inning. The Cubs’ fifth outfielder also had three hits in Game 2.

“It’s good we were able to win the series today,” Johnson said. “We were able to do that with the first win. We’re not going to lay down [the second game]. You saw that in the last couple of innings where we were able to comeback. There’s something special about this team. We’ve done that a couple different times and come up short. The more times you’re knocking at the door, the more chances we have to succeed in those situations.”

At 9-9 the Cubs ended the day with a split in a day-night doubleheader. They also ended it in a tie for first place with the Reds, Brewers and Cardinals. Lastly, the North Siders set a strange franchise record for being at .500 nine different times in 18 games.

“It’s like the old-school National League West,” Johnson said. “It used to be one of those teams at .500 was leading the division, but that’s not going to be the case for us because there is too many good teams in our division.”

Although starting pitcher Matt Garza has yet to win his first game as a Cub, he was able to throw six shutout innings in Chicago’s 2-1 victory in Wednesday’s first game of a split doubleheader.

Reed Johnson’s home run leading off the 11th proved to be the game-winner. Nonetheless , Garza was happy the Cubs got a win even though he didn’t notch a decision.

”Wins don’t matter,” Garza said. “As long as we get the big W that goes on our side. I’m here to get to October anyway. We can do it. If I don’t win all year, and we win all of my games that doesn’t bother me one bit. “

Garza, the current National League strikeout leader with 34, had a strong combination of pitches on Wednesday, including a 94 mph fastball, and good command of his breaking balls. Garza’s day ended after the sixth inning in which he had to throw 35 pitches and work around three walks.

“That’s a guy fighting against himself as hard as he can,” Garza said. “I was trying to be too perfect too pretty instead of just going after guys. There’s no reason I should have thrown 35 pitches.”

Johnson’s homer came on a 1-1 pitch off San Diego’s Luke Gregerson. Garza looked at Johnson’s game-winning long ball as a team victory.

“Every guy in this dugout, every guy in this clubhouse, counts for something,” Garza said. “[Each player’s] job is important. [Each player] is a piece of the puzzle. We are all a piece of the puzzle. When you get all those pieces together, everything starts clicking in the right direction. Reed did today what you expect every guy to do. Come in and be ready and get the job done.”

Garza owns a 2.00 ERA in his two starts at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs' lineup for the first of two against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday:

Starlin Castro
Darwin Barney
Marlon Byrd
Aramis Ramirez
Carlos Pena
Alfonso Soriano
Tyler Colvin
Geovany Soto
Matt Garza

CHICAGO -- It was 80 degrees, sunny and cloudless, when Clayton Richard followed the handmade signs that guide visitors down the labyrinthine path from the visitor’s clubhouse to the green pasture of Wrigley Field.

“It’s nice,” Richard said, grinning. “It’s like this every day in San Diego. It’s a little warmer here.”

Richard, the tall, ever-smiling ex-White Sox pitcher, was traded to the Padres on July 31 last year, along with Aaron Poreda and two other dudes you’ve probably never heard of, for a guy you have heard of, Jake Peavy.

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CHICAGO -- San Diego Padres bench coach Ted Simmons hopes to be interviewed for the Cubs manager opening when the team begins the process of looking for a successor to Lou Piniella.

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