There’s still plenty of room for two-way loyalty in baseball

By George Castle On The Cubs

There’s no crying in baseball, to be sure, but there’s sure room for some dry-eyed sentiment.

Danks solid as Sox beat Cubs

By Rick Gano AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | Adam Dunn loves to hit against the Cubs. He had great success against them during his days in the NL. And he really enjoys Wrigley Field.

Crosstown Classic gets cross quickly

By Jim Peters jim.peters@nwi.com, (219) 548-4363

CHICAGO | Cubs and Sox, cats and dogs, Hatfields and McCoys, north and south.

Cubs' Samardzija has good day, except on scoreboard

By Jim Peters jim.peters@nwi.com, (219) 548-4363

CHICAGO | It was a good day on the mound and at the plate for the Cubs' Jeff Samardzija, but not on the scoreboard.

MATT ERICKSON: For Kerry Wood, a well-deserved perfect ending

By Matt Erickson Times Correspondent

Sometimes, even when the Cubs are involved, things work out just the way they should.

Fittingly, Cubs' Wood goes out with a K

By Jim Peters jim.peters@nwi.com, (219) 548-4363

CHICAGO | Kid K got one last K and called it a career.

Be creative, Cubs fans, say Sox as annual crosstown duel resumes

By George Castle Times Correspondent

Is that all you got, Cubs fans? Such is the message from the biggest villain and biggest target on the White Sox as they arrive at Wrigley Field today for the start of the annual six-game crosstown interleague duel.

Cubs fall to Cards

By R.B. Fallstrom AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS | Alfonso Soriano rediscovered his power stroke. Off hard-throwing Jason Motte, too.

Kankakee Valley senior Dellahan shows versatility entering sectionals

By Paul Trembacki Times Correspondent

DEMOTTE | When Dayton Dellahan was 3 years old and somewhat spud-shaped, she inspired her aunt Linda’s creativity one day while running in the yard.

Dempster still winless but Cubs beat Cardinals

By R.B. Fallstrom AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS | Alfonso Soriano singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Cubs sent the St. Louis Cardinals to their fourth straight loss at home with a 6-4 victory on Monday night.

Cubs beat Brewers to avoid sweep

By Chris Jenkins AP Sports Writer

MILWAUKEE | For the first time in more than a year, the Cubs finally won a game in Milwaukee.

Hart leads Brewers past Cubs in 13 innings

By The Associated Press

MILWAUKEE | The Cubs were in big trouble when rookie Lendy Castillo hit Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun to open the 13th inning, and Corey Hart made them pay.

Wood struggles again as Cubs lose to Braves

By Jay Cohen AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | Kerry Wood trudged off the mound after another difficult outing and threw his glove and hat into the stands as he made his way into the dugout.

Bases-loaded walk leads Cubs past Dodgers

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | David DeJesus drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 11th inning to lift the Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Cubs can't break through vs Capuano in loss

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | When Alfonso Soriano stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the first inning, he felt an offensive outburst was imminent.

Reds rally vs Marmol, beat Cubs 4-3 in 10 innings

By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI | Carlos Marmol got a little wild again, losing a three-run lead in the ninth. He might have lost his closer job as well.

LaHair, Stewart homer to lead Cubs over Reds 3-1

By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI | Bryan LaHair and Ian Stewart hit solo homers - a major outburst for the power-challenged Chicago Cubs - and Jeff Samardzija pitched into the eighth inning on Wednesday night for a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Cubs' series opener vs. Reds postponed

By Joe Kay AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI | A rainout provided some valuable rest for the Cubs' bullpen.

Cubs fall to Phillies with Polanco's eighth-inning double

By Rob Maaddi AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA | Placido Polanco hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-4 victory over the Cubs on Monday night.

Wild Wells struggles in Cubs' loss to Phillies

By Rob Maaddi AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA | Randy Wells was unhittable until he lost the strike zone.

Maholm, Castro lead Cubs to win over Phillies

By The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA | Paul Maholm pitched 6 1/3 solid innings, Starlin Castro had two hits and an RBI, and the Cubs beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1 Friday night.

Cubs' Volstad still waiting for 1st win since July

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | The Cubs' run-scoring problems continued on Wednesday, which didn't help Chris Volstad's cause to end a 10-month winless drought.

Soriano lifts Cubs past Cardinals

By Jay Cohen AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | Alfonso Soriano threw up his hands in joy as the ball caromed off second baseman Tyler Greene and into center field. He slapped hands with his teammates as they mobbed him near first base.

Red Sox acquire CF Marlon Byrd from Cubs

By Jimmy Golen AP Sports Writer

BOSTON | The Boston Red Sox acquired center fielder Marlon Byrd from the Cubs on Saturday in an attempt to shore up their injury-plagued outfield and reverse an early season slide.

Maholm leads Cubs past Reds

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | The Cubs got off to a fast start against Mike Leake and Paul Maholm took over from there, using the early run support to stop a couple of losing streaks.

Reds get 10,000th victory as Cubs drop sixth straight

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Dale Sveum watched his team swing the bats as well as they have all season.

Cubs drop fifth straight with 5-3 loss to Marlins

By The Associated Press

MIAMI | With only three wins in 13 games this season, the Cubs know they need to turn things around in a hurry.

Cubs lose to Buehrle, Marlins

By Steven Wine AP Sports Writer

MIAMI | When left fielder Alfonso Soriano casually fielded a routine single and lobbed the ball in, Donnie Murphy kept running and turned the hit into a double.

Dempster still winless as Cubs lose to Marlins 5-2

By The Associated Press

MIAMI | Ryan Dempster threw much better to the plate than to first base.

Cardinals whip Cubs to take series

By R.B. Fallstrom AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS | It's been eight long months since Paul Maholm's last victory. Contrary to the results so far this year, the Cubs left-hander believes the turnaround is just around the corner.

Volstad stumbles in 4th as Cubs lose to Cards

By The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS | Chris Volstad had a 13-pitch hiccup Saturday and that was enough to leave him with a loss.

Garza shines, Greinke routed as Cubs beat Brewers

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Matt Garza felt a little off during his first two innings on Thursday.

Dempster outdone by Gallardo in another Cubs loss

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | After another brilliantly pitched game fell to the wayside, Ryan Dempster found nobody to blame but himself.

Ramirez drives in 2 in return to confines

By Andrew Seligman AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | Aramis Ramirez drove in two runs in his return to Wrigley Field, Ryan Braun got booed relentlessly and the Milwaukee Brewers hung on to beat the Cubs 7-5 Monday night.

Samardzija stellar as Cubs beat Nationals

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Former Valparaiso star Jeff Samardzija felt he had something to prove. He certainly made his point on the mound.

Nationals rally again, beat Cubs

By Andrew Seligman AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | Carlos Marmol insists it's too soon for him to be frustrated. Cubs fans sure are, though.

Cubs' Epstein, Ricketts taking baby steps to World Series

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | You've heard it over and over, until you're Cubbie blue in the face. This is a new beginning, a new attitude and lots of new faces pulling on the rope together. The 2012 Cubs team finally has a rudder, a plotted course, a clue on ho…

Opening day all over: Aces, tributes and extras

By Ben Walker AP Baseball Writer

Standing in a concourse at Comerica Park during the seventh-inning stretch, wearing his Detroit Tigers windbreaker and hat, Walt Thompson seemed to speak for every fan on opening day.

Cubs' bullpen can't save Opening Day for Dempster

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | Comedian Bill Murray threw out the first pitch Thursday and sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" in the seventh inning.

Cubs season a waiting game for top kids’ debuts

By George Castle Times Correspondent

The 2012 Cubs aren't just about who fills out a starting rotation offering more quantity than quality or relatively thin lineups and bullpen.

DirecTV-Tribune reach deal, will broadcast Cubs opener

By Times Staff and Wire Reports

Cubs fans rest assured, your team's home opener will air on DirecTV after all.

Danks sharp in final spring start for White Sox

By The Associated Press

The White Sox moved closer to regular season form Saturday.

Dempster sharp, but Cubs lose to Dodgers

By The Associated Press

MESA, Ariz. | Ryan Dempster had a strong start with spring training winding down.

On the Cubs: Samardzija takes worker's route to rotation

By George Castle Times Columnist

Jeff Samardzija really got serious this time. So he achieved a serious result perhaps only he and his close-knit family in Valparaiso could have foreseen.

Big days for Soto as Cubs outslug Rockies

By The Associated Press

Geovany Soto homered twice and drove in five runs, sending the Cubs to a 10-8 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday.

Volstad again pitches well for Cubs in win over SF

By The Associated Press

Cubs newcomer Chris Volstad pitched three shutout innings for the second straight time this spring and the Cubs beat San Francisco 5-4 on Tuesday.

Cubs' Garza wild in 5-0 loss to Dodgers

By The Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. | Ted Lilly is hoping to start this year the way he finished last season.

Wood pitches into third inning for Cubs in win

By The Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. | Travis Wood is on target for the regular season. He was off the mark Friday.

Samardzija pitches 3 sharp innings, Cubs beat Royals

By The Associated Press

SURPRISE, Ariz. | Valparaiso High School graduate Jeff Samardzija allowed one hit in three scoreless innings Wednesday as the Cubs defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-4.