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CHICAGO -- It took 106 major league starts for Scott Feldman to throw his first complete game.

The Chicago Cubs' veteran pitcher not only pitched the entire game, he set a career high with 12 strikeouts in a 6-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field.

Feldman, 30, got an assist from manager Dale Sveum after completing the eighth inning.

"Originally, the plan was for me to go eight," Feldman said. "I went back and asked if I could get a crack at a CG [complete game]. I am just glad he didn't take me out after I gave up that home run to [Chase] Headley."

Feldman, who started the season slowly, was in command from the beginning and mostly dominant against San Diego. At one point, he retired 18 straight batters and struck out the side in both the third and fourth innings. Sveum said he felt Feldman's cut fastball was the difference in the pitcher's performance.

"From what I am seeing, there is more arm speed and more velocity on the cutter," Sveum said. "That will always make things a little more crisp. When you add a couple more [miles per hour] things change a little bit. Location and not walking guys is always the formula for pitching [well]. He had a game plan to pitch those lefties in with the cutter and did it all night long."

Feldman retired 11 out of 12 Padres hitters when using the cutter as his final pitch of an at-bat.

After consulting with pitching coach Chris Bosio, Sveum told Feldman to go back out and attempt the complete game.

"He more or less said that he had never pitched a complete game before," Sveum said. "At 100 pitches, I was letting him go hitter to hitter."

Feldman, who threw 114 pitches Wednesday, has given up two or fewer earned runs in each of his past four starts.

The Cubs, using a lineup of seven batters who could bat left-handed, helped build an early five-run cushion for Feldman by chasing former Cubs pitcher Andrew Cashner after four innings. Feldman helped knock his opponent out of the game with an RBI double in the second inning. Feldman had only one double and one RBI in his career having played in the American League throughout his career before signing with the Cubs in November. He hit the ball hard three times.

"I pretty much closed my eyes and swung," Feldman said. "That was pretty much my motto. Luckily, tonight I put a couple good swings on. I still wish I had a couple more hits."

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.

The Chicago Cubs finally broke through and won a game started by an opposing left-handed pitcher this week when they beat the Cincinnati Reds on the night that Tony Cingrani pitched, though Cingrani didn't earn the loss or pitch poorly. On Friday, they'll try to make it two in a row against southpaw starters when Wade LeBlanc pitches for the Miami Marlins against Scott Feldman.

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CINCINNATI -- The 5-12 Chicago Cubs are starting to accomplish some things on defense the organization hasn't seen in quite some time. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it's been 10 years since the Cubs gave up more than 14 unearned runs – as they have this season – in their first 17 games of the season.

The last time they made more than 17 errors in their first 17 games was in 2000. Finally, 1995 was the last time the Cubs committed more than 17 errors and gave up more than 14 unearned runs in the first 17 games. Those aren't numbers any manager wants to see.

It's not a reach by any means to conclude the six errors the Cubs made over the weekend in Milwaukee cost them all three games.

On Friday, the first play of the game – an easy grounder to Anthony Rizzo at first base – was muffed, and the next four batters hit for the cycle putting the Cubs in a 4-0 hole. Losing by a run, 5-4, only highlights the magnitude of that error.

Saturday's miscues led manager Dale Sveum to say the Cubs were making "rookie ball" mistakes. A dropped fly ball by Alfonso Soriano in the fifth followed later in that inning by a bobbled ground ball by Starlin Castro allowed two unearned runs to score as did Edwin Jackson's throw into center field on a double play attempt in the sixth. The final there was 5-1 with four scoring thanks to those errors.
Finally, on Sunday pitcher Scott Feldman couldn't snag a ball hit back to him with two outs in the fifth allowing Ryan Braun to come to bat. He promptly hit a hanging breaking pitch for a 3-run home run.

The biggest culprits in the field so far have been Castro (4 errors) and Feldman (3). But at least Castro has done it over all 17 games. Feldman has appeared in just three. The last Cubs shortstop with more than four errors in team's first 17 games of a season was Castro last season. He had 7 through his first 17 games. The last pitchers with more than errors were Carlos Zambrano and Felix Doubront who each had 3 in 2010.

So the Cubs gave up eight unearned runs out of 14 scored by the Brewers. That's basically handing the entire series to the opponent. And remember it was before this past weekend -- last Tuesday in fact -- team president Theo Epstein said "we're not talented enough to play this sloppy." Obviously, his team wasn't listening.

A quick look at the Chicago Cubs' 4-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday at Miller Park.

How it happened: The Cubs’ Scott Feldman got off to a strong start, but was undone by a three-run homer from the Brewers’ Ryan Braun in the fifth. After Yunieski Betancourt led off the inning with a double, Feldman struck out the next two batters. An error on Feldman allowed Jean Segura to reach first and then Braun made him pay with the home run. Anthony Rizzo provided the scoring for the Cubs in the third, hitting his sixth home run of the season off Wily Peralta, a two-run shot with two outs. Michael Bowden, James Russell and Shawn Camp threw three hitless innings in relief for the Cubs.

What it means: The Cubs were swept by the surging Brewers, who have won seven straight to climb back over .500. The Cubs fell to 5-12.

Outside the box: The Cubs have committed nine of their 17 errors against the Brewers, with Feldman and Welington Castillo adding to the total on Sunday.

Up next: The Cubs’ 10-game road trip continues Monday with a series in Cincinnati at Great American Ballpark. Travis Wood (1-1, 1.83 ERA) will take on the Reds’ Mike Leake (1-0, 4.26 ERA) in a 7:10 CT start.

MILWAUKEE -- Like most pitching coaches, Chris Bosio of the Chicago Cubs tells it like it is. And right now he's trying to tell his staff -- especially his relief corps -- that it needs to be better.

"We have to get that bullpen figured out," Bosio said before the Cubs played the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night. "We have to produce."

Unlike the front office, or even manager Dale Sveum, an assistant coach like Bosio isn't concerned about the future or the word "rebuilding." He's about the here and now. And right now he has a bullpen in flux.

"It is what it is. You have to get these guys out there," Bosio said of two newcomers. "We have to get them on the mound."

New guy Kevin Gregg finally did get on the mound, in Friday's 5-4 loss to Milwaukee, for the first time this season. He promptly put two batters on base and was pulled.

Bosio knew Gregg would be rusty. Kameron Loe has pitched one inning in 11 days so expect some unneasiness when he gets out there again. Both pitchers were picked up off waivers, so they hadn't pitched much in quite some time.

"It's tough. Since they've been here, we've been in these really tight games, and all of a sudden we're in these one-run games and you really don't want to send a guy out there that hasn't pitched in a stadium in two weeks," Sveum said.

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ATLANTA -- Coming out of spring training, the worry was that new Chicago Cubs pitcher Scott Feldman was going to get hit hard. After all, he gave up a whopping 38 hits in 20 innings in Cactus League play, which mirrored issues he had last season in amassing a 5.09 ERA with the Texas Rangers.

But on Friday, against the Atlanta Braves, it wasn't the hits that did him in, it was his control.

"I had a little trouble with my command and they got into some deep counts and they made me throw a lot of pitches," Feldman said after the 4-1 loss.

How about 102 pitches without getting out of the fifth inning? He was all over the place, bouncing pitches into catcher Welington Castillo throughout the game, including two wild pitches. Add a hit batter and four walks and you realize why manager Dale Sveum called a lot of his throws "non-competitive pitches."

"He had no command of his curveball," Sveum said.

Said Feldman: "[Bouncing pitches] told me I was a little too far down, my command was a tick off."

And so with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth, in a 2-1 game, Sveum let him pitch to Juan Francisco.

"At that time it was his game to win or lose at that point," Sveum said. "Keep it at 2-1 or give it up."

He gave it up, in the form of a single. That scored two runs and the Braves never looked back.

"Not too many games [last year] where I'm walking 3-4 guys like that," Feldman said.

With Matt Garza's return to the Cubs' rotation scheduled for early May, Feldman better not have many more outings like Friday's because someone has to come out of the rotation -- and the Cubs' first three starters were spot so far.

"I have to work hard between starts and see the light at the end of the tunnel," Feldman said. "The game tonight, try to flush that one and get back to work."

Notes:

-- Catcher Dioner Navarro tried to steal second in the eighth inning with two outs and his team down 4-1. It was a curious move as Navarro said he thought he could "catch them sleeping" and went on his own.

-- Brent Lillibridge went 0-for-2 and is now 0-for-11 on the season, the most at-bats of any Cub without a hit. David DeJesus is 0-for-10.

ATLANTA -- Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Cubs' 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Turner Field.

How it happened: Pitcher Scott Feldman played with fire in his Cubs debut, giving up walks, hits, wild pitches and even a hit batter. He was all over the place, hitting the dirt in front of catcher Welington Castillo frequently. He gave up four runs in less than five innings of work, including a home run to Justin Upton in the first inning. Scott Hairston homered for the Cubs but that was the extent of their offense against lefty Mike Minor. Anthony Rizzo struck out three times.

What it means: There were doubts about Feldman coming off a rough spring -- even manager Dale Sveum said he failed to have a good outing -- but he mostly just got hit in the Cactus League. On Friday his control was a mess, hence the walks, wild pitches and hit batter. Plus, the Braves stole three bases on him. With an anemic Cubs offense that’s just too many extra bases to be giving up. Speaking of offense, the Cubs aren’t getting any, even in warmer weather. Sveum wants some slugging percentage in the lineup but the Cubs managed only a solo home run, a double and three singles. He may have to switch things up against southpaws.

Key moment: Down just 2-1 in the fifth, and having already walked and hit a batter in the inning, Feldman had a chance to get out of a bases-loaded jam, but he gave up a 3-2 base hit to Juan Franciso which broke the game open.

Under the radar: Reliever Michael Bowden came on in relief of Feldman with two men on in the fifth inning and got out of the jam. He proceeded to get the next six hitters as well for a perfect 2.1 innings on the mound.

Curious moment: After a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning, 205-pound catcher Dioner Navarro tried to steal second with two outs and the Cubs down 4-1. He was out.

What’s next: The 2-2 Cubs take on the Braves in Game 2 of the series on Saturday night, marking Carlos Villanueva’s debut on the mound.

ATLANTA -- Two newcomers to the Chicago Cubs' starting rotation will try to pick up where their first three pitchers left off in Pittsburgh as the Cubs took two of three from the Pirates to begin the season.

Scott Feldman makes his debut Friday night against the Atlanta Braves and Carlos Villanueva gets the nod on Saturday. Both were signed as free agents this past offseason.

"Being on a new team is a whole new experience for me," said Feldman, who spent parts of the past eight seasons with the Texas Rangers. "Same with Carlos."

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TUCSON, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs starter Scott Feldman allowed four runs over five innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, striking out five and not giving up a walk.

Feldman, who is scheduled to pitch the fourth game of the regular season on April 6 in Atlanta, was looking for a bit more consistency with an 0-2 record and a gaudy 11.81 ERA this spring heading into Thursday.

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MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Scott Feldman answers your questions in this week's mailbag:

Why did you choose to sign with Chicago and did you talk to (former Cub) Geovany Soto before signing? -- Jack (Chicago)
Feldman: Actually, I talked with Demp (Ryan Dempster) a lot after he was traded to Texas. He loved it (in Chicago) and stuff. To be honest the front office from the get-go kept calling and calling more than any other team. From the beginning it sounded like a good spot for me to go.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It was just Thursday that Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum said, “You want to take the best 25” in reference to his roster for the regular season. In other words, the best 25 players who deserve to make the team.

Many of those choices are easy ones. No matter what kind of spring Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo have, they’re making it. Same goes for most of the Cubs roster, save a few position spots and bullpen openings. Every team in baseball goes through the same thing.

But what about those final spots? Are they won based on spring games or are they won based on past major league production -- or both? When it comes to the final roster positions, many times there isn’t much past production to go by so spring training is all there is.

Take the case of Oak Lawn native Brian Bogusevic. He was a first-round pick for Houston in 2005 as a pitcher but he switched to outfield in 2008. The Cubs picked him up as a free agent in the offseason and now he might be proving he’s one of the best 25 in camp, but he’s still a longshot to make the team. Entering action on Friday he was hitting .444 with seven extra base hits, most on the team. But because he bats from the left side he may not be needed.

“We’re a pretty left-handed team,” Bogusevic said Friday morning after doubling home two runs on Thursday against the Dodgers. “At the same time that’s not something you can control. So the only thing you can do is try to prepare as best you can and perform as best you can and leave the decisions up to the decision-makers.”

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Edwin Jackson will make his Wrigley Field debut as a member of the Chicago Cubs in the team's home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8, manager Dale Sveum said Thursday.

Sveum announced the rotation for the first week of the season with Jeff Samardzija starting Opening Day against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 1 followed by Jackson and Travis Wood to wrap up the series. Scott Feldman, Carlos Villanueva and Samardzija will start in Atlanta against the Braves April 5-7.

Sveum said he wanted the lefty Wood to pitch in Pittsburgh because he likes the matchup there.

Pitchers Matt Garza and Scott Baker are expected to open the season on the disabled list, allowing Sveum to set up his rotation now.

Garza is recovering from a lat injury he suffered the first week of spring training.

"Everything is great with him," Sveum said of Garza's progress.

Garza has been working his way back to the mound by playing long toss from 45 and 60 feet. If he progresses accordingly, he'll throw from 90 feet this weekend and then get back on a mound.

Baker is recovering from Tommy John surgery which caused him to miss all of last season. His first Cactus League start is scheduled for Sunday against the Oakland Athletics.

Garza and Baker are expected to join the rotation when healthy.

MESA, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs don't expect third baseman Ian Stewart to start hitting for another week as he recovers from a strained quad.

Stewart has done little since suffering the injury on Feb. 21 and it could make it difficult for him to earn a spot on the roster.

"If he gets on the field too late in spring training it will be difficult to get enough at-bats to evaluate (him) when everyone else is getting their at-bats," manager Dale Sveum said.

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MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Thursday Scott Feldman will be in the starting rotation, leaving one spot open for three candidates.

Feldman, who signed a one-year contract this offseason, is trying to regain his 2009 form when he won 17 games for the Texas Rangers. Since then he's started just 45 games, compiling a 15-23 record.

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