August 28, 2015 Sun-Times Cubs study Giants' strategies for building homemade championships BY GORDON WITTENMYER SAN FRANCISCO – Jason McLeod, the Cubs’ top scouting and player development executive, recently showed pitching coach Chris Bosio an old high school video of Giants’ workhorse pitcher Madison Bumgarner. “If you walked into a park and saw this kid in high school, what would you think?” McLeod asked Bosio. Bosio: “I see physical size, but I’d probably look at him and say this is a guy who’s going to blow.” Said McLeod: That’s probably what 90 percent of us thought, because he was kind of cross-body, way back here slinging. And you’re saying there’s no way he can hold up like that.” The Giants liked the 6-foot-5 left-hander enough to draft him 10th overall in 2007, the sixth pitcher taken – after the likes of Daniel Moskos, Casey Weathers and Jarrod Parker. Three All-Star selections and three World Series titles later, Bumgarner not only hasn’t blown, but he’s become one of the greatest performers in World Series history. “He’s just a badass,” McLeod said. “But that takes guts to make that call on a high school lefty that doesn’t have the ideal mechanics. It’s so easy to pick that apart, and be safe, and not pick that guy.” It’s no accident that McLeod has been looking at old video of the pitcher who beat the Cubs 9-1 Thursday to hand them their first three-game series loss since last month. McLeod has made a case study in recent years of the drafts and player development success of Brian Sabean’s Giants. Because as much as the Giants are chasing the Cubs on the field these days, the Cubs are chasing the Giants off of it. “I love how they’ve done it,” McLeod said of a Giants methodology for growing a prodigious homegrown core he considers every bit the industry model that the St. Louis Cardinals get all the national attention and hype for. “The proof’s on their mantel, with their three World Series trophies [in five years],” McLeod said. “This is a dynasty they’ve built here. I don’t know why they don’t get the credit they deserve.” When healthy, the Giants start an entirely homegrown infield, a homegrown catcher and a mostly homegrown starting rotation.

And while Bumgarner and catcher Buster Posey are top-10 overall picks, All-Star shortstop Brandon Crawford came out of the fourth round (2008), first-baseman Brandon Belt from the fifth (2009), World Series closer Sergio Romo from the 28th, (2005), All-Star second baseman Joe Panik from deep in the first (29th I 2011). And Rookie of the Year contender Matt Duffy came out of the 18th round in 2012. That’s the kind of impact depth that separates the best farm systems, the kind of depth the Cubs have to build even as they’ve gotten early, major impact from their recent top-of-the-draft picks. “They’ve really hit on their early picks, and they’ve developed pitching,” McLeod said of an area that is a particular weakness for the Cubs right now. “It’s not easy hitting on pitching like that.” Not that anyone would know the Giants were that successful with their scouting and farm systems to read the industry organizational rankings in recent years. Baseball America ranked the Giants’ system 27th for talent this year, 19th last year, 28th in 2013, 22nd in 2012 and 23rd in 2011. “We’re grindstone people. We don’t look for accolades, and we don’t seek out the limelight,” said Sabean, who has run the Giants baseball operations for more than two decades – after he helped run the scouting department with the Yankees that acquired the Derek Jeter-led core that won four World Series in a five-year span. “Maybe being a West Coast team we’re a little bit taken for granted, but the proof’s in the pudding. It’s on the field.” McLeod seems particularly interested in the Giants’ knack for hitting on impact pitching in the draft, whether it’s Bumgarner at No. 10 overall, Matt Cain deep in the first round (25th) or this year’s 11-game-winning rookie Chris Heston (3.34 ERA in 24 starts) in the 12th round. But he also said a strength of the Giants’ player development is a willingness to identify young players to trust in the heat of a high-stakes season, instead of trying to fill up on rent-a-players as those needs arise. “They’re not afraid to push their prospects,” McLeod said. “They’re one of those teams that believe in their players and give them the opportunity. I think some teams are leery to do that sometimes.” Crawford, for instance, was in his first full season as a pedestrian-hitting, good-glove shortstop in 2012, when the Giants stuck with him throughout their second title run. Last October, he hit a grand slam for the first runs in a wild-card victory over Pittsburgh, contributed to another World Series title and this year became an All-Star. Panik was installed as the everyday second baseman in June last year after Marco Scutaro was hurt and Dan Uggla flopped. Panik had three hits in the wild-card victory, a home run in the National League Championship Series clincher and joined Crawford as an All-Star this year. It’s not unlike what the Cubs have done with rookies Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber, all of whom debuted after the start of the season and have played major roles in the Cubs’ playoff contention. “I think what’s good is that we understand player development doesn’t stop in the minor leagues,” Sabean said. “You still have to be open minded and do work with players individually and as group once they get to the big leagues, and that’s where we’re lucky with the coaching staff we have and a manger [Bruce Bochy] that gets it. Our manager’s not afraid to play young guys.” Another strength of Sabean’s front office has been the ability to use the system for key deadline trades for stretch-run help. For example, Hunter Pence was acquired at the deadline in 2012 from the Phillies for role player Nate Schierholtz and two undistinguished minor leaguers. Pence has been a major part of two of the Giants’ titles.

“The biggest separator is who you keep as [core players], and who you put up as quote trade bait. And everybody goes through that exercise,” Sabean said. “We kind of bear down on it more than most, I guess.” Crawford and Duffy say a supportive clubhouse culture has helped them succeed, but neither can identify a certain “Giants Way” during their ascensions that stands out as unique development method. “They’ve been able to get guys that just play the game right,” Crawford said. “And the spotlight’s never too big for them. They don’t get a whole lot of real emotional guys. We’ve brought in guys like Hunter [Pence] and Angel [Pagan], who do play with a little more emotion, and I think every team needs that. “But we also have a lot of guys like Bumgarner and Buster, myself, Joe, who just kind of stay pretty even-keeled no matter what the situation. And I think that’s also pretty big on a team.” Whatever they’re doing in the system, it’s hard to argue that anybody is doing anything better than the Giants. No matter what the level of recognition from outside the organization might be. “Believe me, we know what we’ve produced. We keep track,” Sabean said. “We keep our own scorecards, and we know that our scores are pretty high now. “But there’s an ebb and flow to that. There are ups and downs to seasons just like there’ll be ups and downs to drafts and who you produce.” Until then, the Giants seem to have no problem with other teams getting all the prospect-rankings love. “Everybody’s got their own opinion,” Duffy said. “But it definitely adds a chip on our shoulder, to the point when we get up here, it’s like we’ve got something to prove because a lot of people said you can’t do it. “That might have something to do with it.” -- Sun-Times Cubs’ Dan Haren: ‘I haven’t held up my end of the bargain’ BY GORDON WITTENMYER SAN FRANCISCO – Dan Haren has pitched in seven postseason games, including two in a World Series. But without something more from the veteran right-hander acquired at the trade deadline, the Cubs could have a trouble down the stretch getting him another October chance during what he expects to be his final season. “I’ve got to be better,” Haren said after a three-run homer by Marlon Byrd all but eliminated any chance for a victory against Madison Bumgarner during Thursday’s 9-1 loss to the Giants. The Cubs lost their first series of at least three games since last month against the Phillies. And it doesn’t get any easier with three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw pitching against them Friday in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Haren hasn’t provided the help the Cubs expected for the stretch run in a rotation that has had problems at the back end all season. Despite going six innings for the first time as a Cub (6 1/3), he fell to 1-2 with a 6.31 in five starts – after going 7-7 with a 3.42 ERA in 21 for the Miami Marlins this season. “I really haven’t held up my end of the bargain,” said Haren, who has had no problem settling into a comfort zone with new teammates.

“The guys have been great. It’s been amazing honestly,” he said. “It’s been first class all the way. I’ve been impressed and surprised how good it’s been.” Manager Joe Maddon put an upbeat spin on Thursday’s start, noting how well Haren pitched outside of the home run ball to a guy who has been a personal thorn in Haren’s career. Overall, Maddon said Haren has been “as advertised” – a guy who gives up home runs, but usually with nobody on base, and who competes with mid-80s velocity. “A consummate professal,” Maddon said. “I feel worse about it than anybody,” he said. “But we’ve got games left. And I can either whine and complain and feel sorry for myself or just move on and try to be better the next time. “I’ll do anything for this team. I just want us to win.” -- Sun-Times Fernando Rodney (5.68 ERA) latest roll of dice for Cubs’ pen Gordon Wittenmyer SAN FRANCISCO – After their 9-1 loss to the Giants in Thursday’s series finale, the Cubs announced a trade to acquire another struggling, once-dominant relief pitcher. Right-hander Fernando Rodney, who had a 5.68 ERA this season before the Mariners designated him for assignment this week, was acquired for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The power pitcher just three years removed from setting a major-league relief-pitching record for ERA (0.60) with Joe Maddon’s Tampa Bay Rays is expected to join the Cubs’ bullpen Friday in Los Angeles. “He’s got the kind of stuff to get out both righties and lefties,” said first-year Cubs manager Maddon. “I know he had trouble, struggled a bit this year. But I’m eager to see it in person and find out what’s going on.” Rodney’s the second former Rays closer the Cubs acquired this summer, former All-Star Rafael Soriano, who was ineffective before going on the disabled list in early August because of shoulder inflammation. The Cubs also looked into acquiring former Rays closer Grant Balfour this season. The move comes four days after the Cubs placed reliever Jason Motte (shoulder) on the disabled list, but Cubs manager Maddon said the trade was more about an ongoing effort to improve the Cubs’ iffy bullpen depth. The bullpen has largely performed well overall this season, but it has been leaned on heavily in August, averaging more than three innings per game, with a 4.52 collective ERA for the month. “We’ll see when we get him in here and get him in a game,” Maddon said. “But he still has a good baseball. He has an outstanding changeup. And he’s a great teammate; he’s a lot of fun to have on the team. So I’m looking forward to that.” To make room on the 25-man roster, the Cubs optioned left-hander Zac Rosscup back to AAA Iowa. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Brian Schlitter was designated for assignment. -- Sun-Times Cubs’ Starlin Castro: ‘Sometimes these kind of moments make you stronger’ BY GORDON WITTENMYER

SAN FRANCISCO – Starlin Castro could be bitter and angry. His own agent has wondered aloud whether a change of scenery would be best for the three-time All-Star. And yet as he faces the possibility of heading back to the bench on Wednesday after nearly hitting for the cycle in a Cubs victory Tuesday night, the team’s former starting shortstop talked only about winning and contributing to the magic carpet ride the young Cubs are taking into September. “Sometimes these kind of moments make you stronger,” he said. “This is my sixth year, and I’ve been here, playing every day. And now [getting benched], it’s really tough for me. But I think that maybe makes me a little stronger and [helps me] go back on track.” Castro was back as the starting shortstop Monday and Tuesday with his replacement, Addison Russell, sidelined Monday with a sore groin and unavailable Tuesday because of the birth of his son. He went 4-for-7 in those games, including Tuesday night’s double and first home run since June 12. After hits in his first three at-bats, he looked like he might have a shot at the cycle in the eighth until ex-teammate Marlon Byrd robbed him of extra bases with a catch in the right field gap. After approaching hitting coach John Mallee in recent days to work on changes Mallee had suggested, Castro made an adjustment before the game and moved up on the plate during the game — helping him finally start driving the middle and away pitches he had been pulling off all season. “It worked,” he said. And he’s starting to feel like he did about this time last year, when he went on a hitting binge until a season-ending ankle injury in September. “I’ve just been waiting for this moment to come,” he said. “And I think now that the moment’s here, I just want to try to be consistent and keep playing hard.” Whenever that chance might come. However sparingly the playing time might be. “For me right now it doesn’t matter [where] I have to be in the lineup,” he said. “I just want to be in the lineup every day. To try to get my confidence back, to get my everyday [role] back.” With right-hander Jake Peavy pitching against the Cubs Wednesday that probably means lefty hitting second baseman Tommy La Stella stays at second. And with Russell due back in the lineup at short, that could mean Castro’s back on the bench. So he’ll try to stay ready, he said, whether it’s a pinch-hitting opportunity like Sunday when he delivered a hit. Or another spot start. Or a weekend stretch of starts like the recent White Sox seires. Meanwhile, he’ll keep his eye on the prize. The promise of October. “I’ve been here with a team that’s been struggling,” said Castro, whose first five years in the majors were all on fifth-place teams. “Why would I want to go now that we’re playing so good? “I want to be part of this team and keep hitting, and keep playing better.” -- Daily Herald Chicago Cubs get struggling reliever Rodney from Mariners Staff

The playoff-contending Chicago Cubs acquired struggling reliever Fernando Rodney from the Seattle Mariners for cash Thursday, reuniting the exuberant closer with manager Joe Maddon. The 38-year-old Rodney had been designated for assignment by Seattle last Sunday. Rodney was 5-5 and had gone 16 for 22 in save chances this season. The right-hander had a 5.68 ERA in 54 games. Rodney was an AL All-Star last year when he posted a Mariners-record 48 saves. The Cubs lead San Francisco by 5 1/2 games for the NL's second wild-card spot. Chicago has tried to bolster its bullpen during the season, getting Rafael Soriano and Tommy Hunter. Maddon was enthused to have Rodney, known for his shoot-the-arrow pantomime after he finishes off saves. In 2012, Maddon was managing Tampa Bay when Rodney was its closer and had an 0.60 ERA and 48 saves "I've been around Fernando," Maddon told reporters after the Cubs lost to the Giants 9-1 Thursday. "I was there that year when he had the best in history." "He's got the kind of stuff to get out both righties and lefties. I know he had trouble a bit this year, but I'm eager to see him in person and find out what's going on," he said. Maddon said he'd talked to Rodney after the deal was made. "He sounds really good. We'll see when we get him down here, get him in a game," Maddon said. "He still has the good fastball, outstanding changeup, and he's a great teammate. He's a lot of fun to have on the team, so I'm looking forward to that." -- Cubs.com Cubs acquire Rodney in deal with Mariners Rosscup optioned to Triple-A; Schlitter designated for assignment Carrie Muskat SAN FRANCISCO -- The Cubs added another arm to the bullpen mix Thursday, acquiring right-hander Fernando Rodney from the Mariners for a player to be named or cash considerations. Rodney is expected to join the Cubs on Friday in Los Angeles. "I was there for that year when he had the best in history," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of the right-hander's 2012 season with the Rays, when he compiled an 0.60 ERA in 76 games with 48 saves. "He has the kind of stuff to get out both righties and lefties. I know he had trouble or struggled a bit this year, but I'm eager to see him in person and find out what's going on." Maddon talked to Rodney on the phone after Thursday's 9-1 loss to the Giants. "He still has a good fastball, outstanding changeup and is a great teammate," Maddon said. "He's a lot of fun to have on the team. I'm looking forward to it." The Cubs didn't feel a need to add another arm because reliever Jason Motte is on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder, Maddon said. "The more the merrier," Maddon said. To make room on the roster, lefty Zac Rosscup was optioned to Triple-A Iowa, and right-handed pitcher Brian Schlitter was designated for assignment.

Rodney, 38, is a two-time American League All-Star, having earned the honor in 2012 and last season with the Mariners. He has 236 career saves and is 35-55 with a 3.77 ERA in 686 relief appearances with the Tigers (2002-03, 2005-09), Angels (2010-11), Rays (2012-13) and Mariners (2014-15). This season, Rodney was 5-5 with 16 saves and a 5.68 ERA in 54 games for the Mariners before he was designated for assignment on Aug. 23. -- Cubs.com Relay race: Cubs thwart inside-the-park HR Russell's strong throw home bails out Denorfia, who thought Aoki's ball went foul on lunging attempt Carrie Muskat SAN FRANCISCO -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon was able to find a bright spot after watching the Giants' Madison Bumgarner strike out 12 over six innings in Chicago's 9-1 loss on Thursday. In the Giants' seventh, the Cubs were able to thwart Nori Aoki, who got a little too adventurous on the bases. With one out and the Giants leading, 5-1, Aoki lofted a ball to left field, which deflected off Chris Denorfia's glove and into foul territory. "To be honest, I thought it was foul," Denorfia said. "That's why I didn't pop up right away. Then I heard the crowd start yelling again and realized it wasn't [foul]. When I slid, I saw the line underneath me. It must have nicked me. I saw it bounce foul and figured it was foul." But it wasn't, and Denorfia chased down the ball and fired to shortstop Addison Russell, who threw to catcher Kyle Schwarber in time to get Aoki at home plate. "A great relay throw by 'Addie' just saved me right there," Denorfia said. "It was a little mental mistake by me, and my teammates picked me up." Right fielder Chris Coghlan immediately followed with a terrific diving catch on Matt Duffy's liner to end the inning. Bumgarner shut the Cubs down, giving up two hits and walking two, for the win. "They beat us today -- they deserved to beat us today," Maddon said of the Giants, who took the series. "But I love that our guys understand the concept of playing down to the last drop." Schwarber was making his first start behind the plate since Aug. 6, and he was charged with an error in the third when his throw to second to try to get Aoki sailed into center field. "He did a nice job behind the plate," Maddon said of the rookie. "The throw was strong. I much prefer throwing the ball over the middle infielder's head as opposed to in the ground. Give the guy credit for that." Give Kris Bryant credit for making the switch from third base to the outfield. Bryant started in right for the first time this season and then moved to center in the eighth. He threw out Juan Perez at second base. "It was a little weird," Bryant said of the outfield. "I felt I went back on some balls that I should've gone in on. I threw a guy out, which is pretty cool. Wherever they want me to play, I'll play. I'm a baseball player. I'm willing to do whatever." Which is all Maddon wants. -- Cubs.com

Haren, Cubs drop rubber game vs. Giants By Oliver Macklin and Carrie Muskat SAN FRANCISCO -- Madison Bumgarner fanned 12 Cubs over six innings and Marlon Byrd drilled a three-run homer to propel San Francisco to a 9-1 victory over Chicago on Thursday afternoon at AT&T Park. The outcome marked the first time the Cubs lost a series to a National League opponent since they were swept by Philadelphia, July 24-26. "You have to learn how to bounce back from a loss," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "You may be upset for about 30 minutes, and then you move on." Bumgarner was locked and loaded from the get-go, striking out the side in each of the first two innings. As the left-hander piled up the strikeouts, his pitch count escalated as well, forcing him to leave the game after the sixth. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks. "It's evident he had good stuff today," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We had a chance to give him a break. We had been riding him pretty hard this month." Byrd's home run off Dan Haren provided ample support for the Giants' ace and helped San Francisco move to 5 1/2 games behind the Cubs for the second Wild Card spot. The win also kept San Francisco 2 1/2 games back of Los Angeles for first place in the NL West. • Spencer: Despite injuries, Giants are time-tested champs MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Byrd's blast: The newest member of the Giants clubbed his first home run at AT&T Park wearing a San Francisco uniform. After seeing two Haren fastballs out of the strike zone, Byrd found the pitch he was looking for and crushed it beyond the center-field wall. The blast extended the Giants' lead to four and was Byrd's fourth career homer off Haren. "He just left it in the middle of the plate, and I put a good swing on it," Byrd said. Tomlinson grand: San Francisco had a comfortable lead by the time Kelby Tomlinson stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the eighth inning. But just for good measure, the rookie second baseman hammered a James Russell breaking ball into the left-field bleachers to make his first Major League home run a grand slam. "That was a heck of an at-bat," Byrd said of Tomlinson's grand slam. "To get a breaking ball that was actually a pretty good pitch and to have a good path on it and keep it fair, that was awesome." Start me up: Haren had his longest outing since joining the Cubs at the Trade Deadline. The right-hander gave up five runs over 6 1/3 innings, throwing 105 pitches. He served up Byrd's homer, the 29th off Haren this season, which leads the Majors. The right-hander has given up at least one home run in each of his five starts with the Cubs. "I think it's something for him to build off of going into the next outing," Maddon said of Haren. "I haven't held up my end of the bargain," Haren said. "I feel worse about it than anybody. The game isn't stopping, we've got games left, and I can either whine and complain and feel sorry for myself or just move on and try to be better the next time. I'll do anything for this team. I just want us to win. It's been an amazing experience so far, and I hope to contribute a little more down the road." Glovework: With the Cubs' Dexter Fowler sidelined to nurse some minor injuries, Matt Szczur was in center, Kris Bryant made his first start in right and Kyle Schwarber caught for the first time since Aug. 6. Szczur misplayed Juan

Perez's ball to center, which resulted in an RBI double, and Schwarber overthrew second base in the third trying to get Nori Aoki, who reached third on the error and then scored on Matt Duffy's single for a 2-1 Giants lead. But in the seventh, Chris Denorfia, Addison Russell and Schwarber combined on a 7-6-2 relay to throw out Aoki at home as he tried to stretch a triple into an inside-the-park home run. "They beat us today, they deserved to beat us today," Maddon said. "But I love that our guys understand the concept of playing down to the last drop." QUOTABLE "He was trying not to smile. He was trying to hold it in. I didn't want him holding it in. I just pointed up [to the scoreboard] so he could see himself and enjoy it. You know, you're young. You hit your first home run, it's a big one, grand slam. You've got to enjoy it, got to smile." -- Byrd, on Tomlinson "We knew coming into this week we were facing some good starters. There are a lot of good starters. To be the same every day and come in and battle no matter who's on the mound, that's what we have to take away from this. We love competing against the best, and these guys are. More than anything, we need to learn to be ourselves and have a good plan every day and just execute it." -- Denorfia SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS The Cubs lead the NL in strikeouts, and Thursday was the 10th time this season a starting pitcher has fanned at least 10 Chicago batters in a game, which matches the 2014 season total. The last time the Cubs whiffed more was 1964 (12 games). ROSTER MOVE After the game, the Cubs announced they had acquired reliever Fernando Rodney from the Mariners for a player to be named or cash considerations. Rodney, whom Maddon had on his staff in Tampa Bay, is expected to join the Cubs in Los Angeles on Friday. More > WHAT'S NEXT Cubs: Jason Hammel will open the Cubs' three-game series at Dodger Stadium on Friday. The right-hander is coming off a win against the Braves in which he posted a quality start, his 11th of the season but first since July 3. On June 23, Hammel threw 7 2/3 shutout innings against the Dodgers, giving up two hits. First pitch is scheduled for 9:10 p.m. CT. Giants: San Francisco welcomes the St. Louis Cardinals to AT&T Park on Friday night at 7:15 PT to begin a three-game set. Mike Leake gets the ball to open up a critical series as the Giants look to catch the Cubs for the second Wild Card spot and the Dodgers for the NL West lead. -- Cubs.com Kershaw out to avenge earlier meeting vs. Cubs Carrie Muskat Clayton Kershaw challenged his teammates after the Dodgers were swept by the Astros last Sunday, saying the team needed to play with a sense of urgency. On Friday, Kershaw will make his first start since then when the National League West leaders, coming off a sweep in Cincinnati, play host to starter Jason Hammel and the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. This will be Kershaw's second meeting against the Cubs, who collected three runs on four hits over seven innings against the lefty on June 22 at Wrigley Field in a 4-2 Chicago win. The Cubs rallied in that game as Kris Bryant hit a

pair of home runs, including a two-run shot off Kershaw in the third. Matt Szczur also homered off the Dodgers' ace in the seventh, which is his only homer in 36 games with the Cubs this year. The Cubs are 5-2 so far against former Cy Young Award winners, with wins over Kershaw, Corey Kluber, Zack Greinke, Jake Peavy and Bartolo Colon. The key, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said, is good pitching to counter them. "From our perspective, our pitchers know they have to go out and match [their opposing pitcher], and they have," Maddon said. • The Cubs will hate to see August end. They rank among the NL leaders in home runs this month and have the best record in the NL. Chicago has won at least 14 games in four straight months for the first time since a five-month stretch April-August 2008, which was the last year the Cubs made the playoffs. • Chicago center fielder Dexter Fowler is day to day because of a sore right shin, which he injured when he fouled a ball off his leg on Tuesday. X-rays were negative. • Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig left Thursday's 1-0 win over the Reds during the ninth inning after pulling up lame trying to leg out an infield single. He reinjured his right hamstring on the play and said it was worse than the original injury he suffered Aug. 18. Manager Don Mattingly wouldn't guess how long Puig would be out or if he'd undergo an MRI on Friday. Earlier this year, Puig missed nearly two months with a strained left hamstring. -- Cubs.com Fowler day to day; Bryant makes 1st RF start Cubs outfielder sore after bearing brunt of multiple foul balls, questionable for LA series By Carrie Muskat SAN FRANCISCO -- Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler said he may borrow catcher Miguel Montero's gear to protect himself in his next at-bat. In three games over three days, Fowler has taken a foul ball off his right hand, his left elbow and his right shin, and he did not start Thursday in the Cubs' 9-1 loss to the Giants. X-rays of Fowler's shin on Wednesday were negative, and his status for the upcoming series against the Dodgers is questionable. "I'm not 100 percent sure yet [if he'll play Friday]," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Fowler. "He's still pretty sore. There's a shot at it, yes." Maddon overloaded the outfield with right-handed hitters Thursday against Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner, which included moving Kris Bryant from third to right field for his first start there. Bryant has made one start each in center and in left. "I know [Bryant] has not played there a lot, but he's very comfortable out there and I'm very comfortable with him being there," Maddon said. "I know it looks awkward from a distance, but internally it's not that bad." Fowler planned on being better prepared for his next game. "I'm just going to go up there with catching gear on," Fowler said. • The Cubs are 5-2 so far against former Cy Young Award winners, with wins over Corey Kluber, Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Jake Peavy and Bartolo Colon. The key, Maddon said, is good pitching to counter them. "You have to pitch well to beat really good pitching," Maddon said. "From our perspective, our pitchers know they have to go out and match [their opposing pitcher], and they have. ... You have to take advantage of moments."

The Cubs did not do that on Wednesday against Peavy, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranding five baserunners in a 4-2 loss. Chicago leads the National League in strikeouts but also ranks first in walks. "We're not free swingers," Maddon said. "We'll accept our walks. We strike out, but we're not chasing all the time. We're able to build pitch counts up. That's where I have a lot of confidence in this young group, is that we do that, we're not just up there hacking. We have a really good game plan. That's why I have a lot of confidence going forward with our hitters." • One of the San Francisco-area television cameramen asked Maddon if the manager had ever been told he looked like actor Spencer Tracy. Yes, Maddon said. "He was a pretty cool dude," Maddon said. "I'm OK with that." -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs make changes in bullpen as starter Dan Haren struggles Jesse Rogers SAN FRANCISCO -- The Chicago Cubs' acquisition of reliever Fernando Rodney from the Seattle Mariners might feel a little like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic. The Cubs' bigger issue could be in the starting rotation -- not that plugging a hole somewhere else is a bad thing. Time will tell if Rodney can recapture any of his past glory, which includes a historic season in 2012 for Cubs manager Joe Maddon when both were in Tampa Bay. He saved 48 that year to go with a 0.60 ERA. That's a story for this weekend as Rodney is expected to join the team in Los Angeles. The narrative on Thursday, after the Cubs' 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants, involves Dan Haren's inability to recapture some of his own youthful success. Haren gave up five runs -- including a three-run home run to former Cub Marlon Byrd -- giving Giants starter Madison Bumgarner more than enough to work with. "He's [Byrd] hit me well in the past," Haren said after the game. "Fell behind 2-0. Walking him crossed my mind but I was already laboring that inning. In hindsight, I should have wasted a pitch. "I can whine and complain and feel sorry for myself or just move on and try to be better the next time. I'll do anything for this team. I just want us to win." Haren sounded more and more frustrated throughout his postgame session -- and for good reason. He has a 6.79 ERA with the Cubs since being acquired July 31 and leads baseball in home runs allowed. Byrd's was the 29th long ball this year off Haren. "Take away the home run by Byrd, he pitched really darn good," Maddon said. That sounds a little like Abraham Lincoln enjoying the play, but Maddon is always going to focus on the positive. Haren did get through 6 1/3 innings. "I thought Danny did a great job," Maddon said. "I think it's something to build off of going into the next outing." Even Haren isn't buying that, and most likely neither are Cubs fans. The team has to be too perfect on the days he's pitching considering he's already given up eight home runs in five starts as a Cub. The solo shots are one thing, but three-run homers are going to be too much to overcome most of the time. The pitcher isn't making excuses. He's been welcomed with open arms by his new team, but the production just isn't there.

"I've been impressed, surprised how good it's been," Haren said of being traded to the Cubs. "I really haven't held up my end of the bargain. I feel worse about it than anybody." Maddon didn't intimate Haren's job was in jeopardy, but just as Thursday's trade for Rodney sent Zac Rosscup to the minors, there's always the chance of another deal at any moment as the Cubs have transferred into win-now mode. A deal could even happen in September. Remember, they don't need another playoff starter, just one who can help them get there. Maddon was asked how Haren has worked out so far. "Kind of like as advertised," he said. "He's going to give up some homers. You have to play some defense behind him." Down two outfielders because of injuries, the Cubs didn't have a perfect defense for spacious AT&T Park and it may have hurt them. Too many things had to go right knowing Haren might give up runs. It didn't happen, especially with Bumgarner dealing on the other side. "We got a run off Bumgarner which is hard to do, but I gave it right back," Haren said of the second inning. "No one feels worse about it than me." With a 5.5-game lead for the second wild card, maybe the Cubs can afford one more look at the righty. After that, they may have to think about replacements, just as they've done in the bullpen. "It's been an amazing experience so far," Haren said. "I just hope to contribute a little more down the road." -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs acquire struggling reliever Fernando Rodney from Mariners Jesse Rogers SAN FRANCISCO -- The Chicago Cubs acquired struggling right-handed reliever Fernando Rodney from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the team announced on Thursday after their 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Rodney, 38, is a two-time All-Star who pitched for Cubs manager Joe Maddon with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012 and 2013. He went 5-5 with a 5.68 ERA and 16 saves in 54 appearances for the Mariners this season before being designated for assignment last Sunday. He has 236 saves with a 3.77 ERA in a 13-year career. His strikeout-to-walk ratio has decreased steadily since 2012, when it was a career-high 5.07. It's 1.72 this season. Rodney was an AL All-Star closer last year when he posted a Mariners-record 48 saves. "I've been around Fernando. I was there for that year when he had the best in history, 0.60 ERA," Maddon said, referring to the 2012 season, when he was managing Tampa Bay and Rodney was the Rays' closer. "He's got the kind of stuff to get out both righties and lefties. I know he had trouble, or struggled a bit this year, but I'm eager to see it in person and find out what's going on. We just spoke on the phone. He sounds really good. "He still has the good fastball, outstanding changeup, and he's a great teammate. He's a lot of fun to have on the team, so I'm looking forward to that." To make room on the 25-man roster, the Cubs optioned lefty Zac Rosscup to Triple-A Iowa while designating righty Brian Schlitter for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. The move adds a right-hander to their relief staff, as the Cubs were carrying four lefties before the acquisition. The Cubs have three relievers on the disabled list, including righties Jason Motte (shoulder) and Rafael Soriano (shoulder), while righty Neil Ramirez (side) is also ailing. The Cubs bullpen ranks 11th in the National League with a 3.55 ERA.

-- ESPNChicago.com Rapid Reaction: Giants 9, Cubs 1 Jesse Rogers SAN FRANCISCO -- The Cubs lost 9-1 to the San Francisco Giants on Thursday afternoon. Here's a quick look at the game. How it happened: The Cubs got on the board first when Starlin Castro doubled home Anthony Rizzo in the second inning, but the Giants quickly tied it in the bottom of the inning then took the lead for good in the third, scoring four runs. The big blow was a three-run home run from Marlon Byrd to dead center off starter Dan Haren. Kelby Tomlinson hit a grand slam off reliever James Russell in the eighth to seal the deal for San Francisco. Giants starter Madison Bumgarner didn’t give up a hit after the second inning, striking out 12 in six innings. Haren gave up five runs on six hits and had three walks in 6⅓ innings. What it means: The combination of Bumgarner and some defensive holes sealed the fate for the Cubs early in this game. A Kyle Schwarber throwing error from behind the plate added stress to the Cubs in the Giants' big third inning, and Matt Szczur couldn't track down a fly ball the inning before. Haren needs every advantage he can get, as this series was a reminder that the Cubs need better defense when the back end of their rotation is on the mound -- especially in a spacious ballpark such as AT&T Park. It's hard to be too critical of the offense as Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, isn't exactly easy to hit at home, where he has a 2.05 ERA this season. The Cubs needed a low-scoring game Thursday to have a chance, but the combination of Byrd's home run and the Cubs' defense took care of that idea. Meanwhile, Russell has given up nine runs in his last 3⅔ innings. Another homer against Haren: There will be fan rumblings to replace Haren in the rotation after he gave up his major-league-worst 29th home run this season. His ERA in a Cubs uniform rose to 6.79. Fowler day-to-day: Dexter Fowler had an X-ray taken of his shin, but it was negative. He's day-to-day. The Cubs say it's not a serious injury, but his status for Friday's game is unclear. What's next: The Cubs move down the coast to Los Angeles, where they will face the NL West-leading Dodgers the next three days. Jason Hammel (7-5, 3.35 ERA) takes on Clayton Kershaw (10-6, 2.29) on Friday at 10:10 p.m. ET. -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs lineup shuffle finds Kris Bryant in right field Jesse Rogers SAN FRANCISCO -- Roster flexibility was a storyline for the Chicago Cubs on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants as manager Joe Maddon started a completely different outfield from the night before while Kyle Schwarber began the game at catcher for the first time in three weeks. “I know it looks awkward from a distance, but internally it’s not that bad,” Maddon said of all the changes. Kris Bryant started in right field for the first time while bench guy Jonathan Herrera got the nod at third base. With an ailing Dexter Fowler -- he’s day-to-day after a negative X-ray on his shin -- Matt Sczcur took over in center with Chris Denorfia in left. Things are jumbled with Jorge Soler out of the lineup and Fowler banged up, so Maddon managed as best he could. But the elephant in the room -- especially if you follow social media -- is Bryant’s presence in the outfield. Could he play more out there in September when 2011 first-round pick Javier Baez joins the team? Maddon says yes -- sort of.

“Just to try and get certain bats involved against certain pitchers,” he said. “I’m not opposed to doing any of that stuff.” The point is the Cubs aren’t planning for anything except their guys getting healthy but if a new addition or even bench player starts hitting, they are prepared for movement around the diamond. Baez has played second, short and third this year for Triple-A Iowa so he’s also ready for anything. After Thursday’s start in right field, Bryant has played in all three outfield spots this season. “The fact that he’s comfortable and amenable to all that stuff makes it easier,” Maddon said of Bryant. It gives Maddon flexibility but even so, moving players around the diamond isn’t ideal. Fowler’s injury hurt them as there were at least two plays to be made in center that weren’t against the Giants this week, while Schwarber’s rare start behind the plate had a rough moment when he threw a ball into center field. The runner eventually scored. The catch-22 for Baez is finding those at-bats to earn more playing time. He might get a start as it’s needed, then if he has a big day at the plate he becomes a bigger thought for Maddon, just as Starlin Castro was earlier this week. After earning three hits on Tuesday, he was back in the lineup again on Wednesday. Maddon has a lot to balance in the final weeks of the season, making sure he has enough defense while playing the hot bats. The Cubs don’t have a set 1-8 (or 9) and that can be a good thing, but it’s up to the manager to maximize the talent. -- CSNChicago.com Cubs get playoff education in facing Bumgarner and Kershaw Patrick Mooney SAN FRANCISCO – Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw are the kind of big-time pitchers the Cubs will have to go through in the playoffs. This is Ph.D-level stuff at Joe Maddon’s Cub University, facing last year’s World Series MVP on Thursday afternoon at AT&T Park and getting last season’s National League MVP/Cy Young Award winner on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. The San Francisco Giants won the first series on this West Coast trip, shutting the Cubs down with Bumgarner and three different relievers in a 9-1 game that never felt particularly close. The defending champs are now 5.5 games behind the Cubs for the second wild card. The Cubs still headed to Los Angeles at 20 games above .500, and their lineup has been a huge part of this second-half surge, with Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber right in the middle of the Rookie of the Year discussion and Addison Russell emerging as the franchise shortstop. The question becomes: Can they keep doing it against elite starters when everything is magnified in October? “We’re not free-swingers,” Maddon said. “We’ll accept our walks. We strike out. But it’s not like we’re just chasing all the time. We’re able to see pitches. A lot of times, we’re able to build pitch counts up (against) good starters. “That’s where I have a lot of confidence in this young group. We’re not just up there hacking. We have a really good game plan.” [RELATED - Kris Bryant in the outfield opens up options for Cubs]

Bumgarner (16-6, 2.97 ERA) struck out 12 of the 22 batters he faced and the Giants were able to shut down their ace after 98 pitches. MadBum allowed one run on two hits in six innings. “Just funky,” Bryant said. “When you have a guy (with) that kind of crossfire, it’s a tough at-bat. You can’t really get comfortable in there. He’s the best of the best.” “It is a learning process,” Schwarber said. “You get an idea. You have to make that continuous adjustment as you keep facing these guys.” It won’t get any easier against Kershaw (10-6, 2.29 ERA), another lefty in the best-pitcher-on-the-planet conversation. “Just be the same every day and come in and battle, no matter who’s on the mound,” veteran outfielder Chris Denorfia said. “We love competing against the best – and these guys are – but I think more than anything we need to learn to just be ourselves and not try to do too much. “(That’s) what you got to get good at in this game – the mental part. (It’s) knowing what you’re good at hitting and trying to look for those pitches and hit ‘em. No matter who’s throwing ‘em.” [NBC SHOP: Gear up, Cubs fans!] The Cubs are actually 5-2 in games started by Cy Young Award winners this season, winning against Kershaw, Jake Peavy, Corey Kluber, Zack Greinke and Bartolo Colon while losing to Peavy and Max Scherzer. “You got to get used to it,” Maddon said. “This is what you’re playing for. You’re playing to get to October. When you do, you’re going to play against good teams with really good pitching. That’s how they got there, too. To this point – and I really anticipate it will continue – our guys have handled it very well." -- CSNChicago.com Haren: 'I really haven't held up my end of the bargain' with Cubs Patrick Mooney SAN FRANCISCO — The Cubs understood what they were getting when they acquired Dan Haren from the Miami Marlins in the final hours before the July 31 trade deadline. If David Price or Cole Hamels didn’t make sense — or cost too much in terms of money and/or prospects — then the Cubs would get a dependable fifth starter who could get by with guts and intelligence. “I really haven’t held up my end of the bargain,” Haren said after Thursday’s 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. “I feel worse about it than anybody. “But you know what, the game isn’t stopping. We’ve got games left, and I can either whine and complain and feel sorry for myself or just move on and try to be better the next time.” [MORE CUBS: Cubs adding Fernando Rodney to bullpen mix] Haren is now 1-2 with a 6.31 ERA through five starts in a Cubs uniform. He obviously doesn’t have the same blow-away stuff that helped him make three All-Star teams between 2007 and 2009. Or that much margin for error. Haren regretted the 88-mph fastball ex-Cub Marlon Byrd drove over the center-field fence for a three-run homer in the third inning. That felt like game over with Giants ace Madison Bumgarner on the mound. Byrd now has four career homers against Haren, batting .417 (15-for-36) in that matchup.

“He’s hit me well in the past,” Haren said. “I struck him out the first at-bat. I fell behind 2-0 (there). Walking him had crossed my mind. But I was already laboring that inning. Obviously, in hindsight, I should have just wasted a pitch. It wasn’t that terrible of a pitch. But that guy’s had my number.” [MORE CUBS: Cubs get playoff education in facing Bumgarner and Kershaw] Otherwise, Haren had enough to pitch into the seventh inning, allowing five runs as an ERA that had been at 3.42 when he left Miami has now crept up to 3.90. “As advertised,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He’s going to give up some homers. You got to play some defense back there. He’s a consummate professional that’s going to give you innings.” Haren will turn 35 in September and has been leaning toward retirement after this season. He called the Cubs a “first-class” organization and knows this is a unique opportunity to keep playing into October. “I’ll do anything for this team,” Haren said. “I just want us to win. It’s been an amazing experience so far, and I hope to contribute a little more down the road.” -- CSNChicago.com Cubs adding Fernando Rodney to bullpen mix Patrick Mooney SAN FRANCISCO – Does Fernando Rodney have any arrow-shooting celebrations left in him? The Cubs are about to find out, trying to strengthen their bullpen by acquiring Rodney from the Seattle Mariners on Thursday for a player to be named later or a cash consideration. Cubs manager Joe Maddon had seen Rodney at his best with the 2012 Tampa Bay Rays, watching the right-hander save 48 games and finish with a 0.60 ERA in 76 appearances. But Rodney appears to be fading at the age of 38, putting up a 5.68 ERA in 50-plus innings with the Mariners before getting designated for assignment earlier this week. “I know he struggled a bit this year,” Maddon said after a 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. “But I’m eager to see it in person to find out what’s going on. We just spoke on the phone. He sounds really good, so we’ll how it (plays). “He still has the good fastball. He’s got an outstanding changeup. He’s a great teammate. He’s a lot of fun to have on the team.” Rodney – a two-time All-Star with 236 career saves on his resume – is expected to be in the bullpen on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. To make room, the Cubs optioned lefty Zac Rosscup to Triple-A Iowa and designated right-hander Brian Schlitter for assignment. [RELATED - Kris Bryant in the outfield opens up options for Cubs] In the same way Theo Epstein’s front office has collected players from the Boston Red Sox, Maddon is banking on the experience from his days with the Rays. The Cubs essentially gambled $2 million on Rafael Soriano, another former Tampa Bay closer who hasn’t been a difference-maker yet. Soriano is on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation after putting up a 6.35 ERA in six appearances.

The Cubs also placed veteran reliever Jason Motte on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder before beginning this West Coast trip. “It’s more ongoing than anything,” Maddon said. “I just can’t say it’s because of Jason. I just think that (Rodney) was available. And then at that point, you have to decipher how you think he fits into what you’re doing. “Do you think he makes you better? The answer is yes. So you go ahead and do it.” -- CSNChicago.com Kris Bryant in the outfield opens up options for Cubs Patrick Mooney SAN FRANCISCO – In what might be a Rookie of the Year season, Kris Bryant has shown surprising speed for a 6-foot-5 slugger and better-than-expected defense at third base. Bryant wants to be known as a complete player. He’s demonstrated an unselfish attitude and remarkable poise for someone who’s basically had a target on his back from the moment he reported to spring training. [RELATED - Cubs go outside the box with Kyle Schwarber at leadoff] Moving Bryant to the outfield could open up even more options for the Cubs. Joe Maddon is a manager who loves versatility, playing matchups and getting creative. Bryant made his first start in right field during Thursday’s 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. With center fielder Dexter Fowler banged up – and possibly unavailable against Clayton Kershaw on Friday at Dodger Stadium – Maddon moved the pieces around again. “A little weird,” Bryant said at his locker after the game. “I felt like I went back on some balls where I should have (gone) in first, but I made all the plays. “Wherever they want me to play, I’ll play. I’m a baseball player. I’m not a third baseman or (just) a hitter. I’m willing to do whatever.” It’s hard to see the Cubs doing something that would move the needle like benching Starlin Castro and making Addison Russell their everyday shortstop. But occasionally shifting Bryant to the outfield makes sense if the Cubs believe Javier Baez will strengthen their infield defense once he’s called up from Triple-A Iowa. Maddon also wants Chris Coghlan’s left-handed bat in the lineup against right-handed pitchers. “KB runs well,” Maddon said. “I know that KB has not played there a lot. But he’s very comfortable out there and I’m very comfortable with him being out there. I know it looks awkward from the distance. But internally it’s not that bad.” What if Castro gets hot and proves he belongs at second base? When will Jorge Soler recover from a strained oblique muscle – those injuries are always tricky – and be ready to return to right field? [MORE CUBS: Cubs counting on Kyle Hendricks in the stretch run] Bryant – who has already started games in center and left and played some outfield at the University of San Diego – could become an answer. Bryant began the day with 20 homers, leading all big-league rookies in RBI (77), on-base percentage (.368), slugging percentage (.482), OPS (.850) and runs scored (71).

Maybe an offensive force could also become a defensive asset. “There’s other ways he can (become part of the outfield),” Maddon said. “Just to try to get different bats involved against certain pitchers. You know I’m not opposed to trying to do any of that stuff. And the fact that he is so amenable and comfortable with it makes it a lot easier.” -- Tribune Fans let losses roll off backs just as Joe Maddon's young players do Paul Sullivan Cubs fans won't let a couple of losses on the West Coast interfere with their optimism. No matter what happens people will readily accept it as part of learning curve for younger players. The bars and restaurants around Wrigley Field showed the final innings of the Cubs' 9-1 road loss to the Giants on Thursday as crowds began to file in before the Billy Joel concert. Everyone seemed to be in a Chicago state of mind, enjoying the last gasps of summer and shrugging off the lopsided loss to Madison Bumgarner. No one really expected Dan Haren to outpitch Bumgarner, and winning the opener Tuesday assured the Cubs they would be no worse than 5 1/2 games ahead of the Giants at the end of the three-game series. Truth be told, few expect the Cubs to beat Clayton Kershaw on Friday night at Dodger Stadium either, even though they beat him June 22 at Wrigley. Kershaw is 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break, has a 4-3 mark with a 2.36 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs and is probably the best pitcher of his generation. Everyone knew this would be a difficult trip and that the Cubs would be fortunate to come out .500. But the vibe among fans is much different than the one accompanying some past Cubs contenders, for reasons I can't pinpoint. Except for some of the holdouts from 1969, you get the feeling that no matter what happens people will readily accept it as part of the learning curve for the younger players. We're already on bonus points, they rationalize, so let's just play it out and see what happens. That means an absence of panic over Haren's gopher balls and the sometimes-shaky bullpen. No fretting over Jorge Soler's injury. No pining for Javier Baez's bat and no angst over the possibility of blowing a sizeable wild-card lead. Acquiring former Mariners closer Fernando Rodney, 38, for a player to named or cash after Thursday's game? Um, well … OK. In fact, Cubs fans' biggest fear may be Cubs fans themselves. After a bleacher fan reached over the basket to try to snag Addison Russell's home run the other day at Wrigley, generating a challenge, a player asked me to tell fans to stop doing that. "Don't they know someone almost got killed for that here?" he said. The Cubs have won so regularly in August it feels strange to experience a loss. And it's strange to feel strange.

But Joe Maddon's Cubs have been adept at leaving yesterday behind and avoiding prolonged losing streaks. Since losing five straight to the Dodgers and Cardinals in late June, their longest skid is three. There have been three points of this season when the Cubs could have gone south, including that five-game losing streak, which they answered with a sweep of the Mets in New York. The second was the loss to Chris Sale and the White Sox on July 11, which came two games after a bitter setback against the Cardinals in which Pedro Strop gave up a game-winning, ninth-inning home run to Jhonny Peralta. The third time was July 26 after the Phillies sweep that included Cole Hamels' no-hitter. They have gone 22-7 since. Maddon's "30-minute rule" for his players to process a loss and get it out of their system seems to be working. Now comes the hard part — ignoring talk about the Cubs' history of ineptitude. I asked Maddon if he had been to the Billy Goat Tavern yet, and he said no. Maybe in this case ignorance is bliss. Like the young players, Cubs fans are going to be tested too. The addition of Rodney, who was designated for assignment Sunday after compiling a 5.68 ERA, sounds like a move of desperation. Rodney did lead the majors with 48 saves a year ago, but it's still a hard sell, especially after the Rafael Soriano signing. But no one seemed concerned as they entered Wrigley for the concert. The 30-minute rule seemingly applied to them too. You may be right. They may be crazy. -- Tribune Home run again dooms Dan Haren in Cubs' 9-1 loss to Giants By Eric Gilmore On paper, struggling Cubs starter Dan Haren vs. Giants ace Madison Bumgarner appeared to be the decided mismatch it proved to be Thursday at AT&T Park. Haren gave up his eighth home run in five starts with the Cubs, a three-run shot to Marlon Byrd in the third inning, as the Giants rolled to a 9-1 victory. Haren allowed five runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings and left trailing 5-1. The Giants ended all doubt in the eighth when rookie Kelby Tomlinson hit his first career homer, a grand slam off reliever James Russell right after Byrd was walked intentionally. Byrd entered the game batting .426 (14-for-33) with three home runs and six RBIs for his career against Haren. With two outs, he crushed Haren's 2-0 fastball over the center field fence. "It hurt," Haren said of Byrd's home run. "I struck him out in the first at-bat. Fell behind 2-0 (in this one). I was in a long inning. Walking him had crossed my mind, but I was really laboring that inning. "Obviously, in hindsight, I should have just wasted a pitch. It wasn't that terrible of a pitch but the guy has had my number." Haren allowed his 29th home run of the season, moving into a tie with the Tigers' Anibal Sanchez for the major-league lead. He gave up a home run in his fifth consecutive game since coming to the Cubs in a trade from the Marlins and his eighth straight overall.

"He's going to give 'em up," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "Normally he gives them up without anybody on base. That was unfortunate but he just kept getting better. … He started making even better pitches. The contact got weaker against him. That's what we signed up for. That's how we view him. I think going into his next start he's going to feel pretty good about this one." Channeling his inner Bumgarner, meanwhile, allowed one run on two hits over six innings and struck out 12 as he improved to 16-6 and matched the Cubs' Jake Arrieta for the most victories in the major leagues. He won his fifth straight start and improved to 6-2 for his career against the Cubs. "He's funky," Cubs rookie Kris Bryant said. "That's the first word that comes to mind. It's kind of a cross-fire. It's a tough at-bat. You can't really get comfortable in there. He's the best of the best. He throws all his pitches for strikes." The Giants pulled to within 5 1/2 games of the Cubs for the National League's second wild-card playoff spot. The Cubs had gone six road series without a defeat (4-0-2) before dropping two of three to the Giants. Bumgarner struck out six Cubs in the first two innings, but they took a 1-0 lead in the second. Anthony Rizzo lined a leadoff single, took second on a wild pitch and scored when Starlin Castro roped a double down the left field line. The Giants answered with a run in their half of the second. Tomlinson lined a two-out single, and Juan Perez drilled an RBI double to straight-away center. "We got a run off Bumgarner, which is hard to do, and then I gave it right back," Haren said. "No one feels worse about it than me. There's not much I can say. Obviously I'm trying to put in the work. I settled in a little bit as the game went and didn't tax the bullpen, like I had been. At least that's good, but I have to be better." Fowler hurting: Center fielder Dexter Fowler was out of the lineup for the second straight day because of a bruised right shin. X-rays were negative, but Fowler remains day-to-day. He fouled a ball off his shin Tuesday night against the Giants. -- Tribune Thursday's recap: Giants 9, Cubs 1 Mark Gonzales Marlon Byrd ripped a three-run homer off Dan Haren to highlight a four-run rally in the third inning, and ace Madison Bumgarner struck out 12 in six innings Thursday as the Giants beat the Cubs 9-1 at AT&T Park. The Cubs lost their first road series since getting swept at St. Louis on June 26-28. At the plate The Cubs managed only three hits and went hitless after Starlin Castro's RBI double with no outs in the second until Kris Bryant collected an infield single with one out in the ninth. The Cubs struck out 16 times against Bumgarner and three relievers. On the mound Left-hander James Russell allowed a grand slam to rookie Kelby Tomlinson in the eighth, and his ERA has swelled from 2.70 to 5.40 over his last seven appearances. In the field

Bryant started in right field for the first time and caught Matt Duffy's fly with ease in the first. Kyle Schwarber started at catcher for the first time since Aug. 6 but sailed a throw into center field that allowed base stealer Nori Aoki to advance from second to third in the third. Key at-bats Haren and Jonathan Herrera struck out to strand Castro at second. Key number 29 — Home runs Haren has allowed this season. Up next At Dodgers, 9:10 p.m. Friday, WGN-9 -- Tribune Cubs get struggling reliever Fernando Rodney from Mariners Paul Sullivan The Cubs acquired struggling reliever Fernando Rodney from the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations, hoping to solidify the bullpen for the playoff push. Rodney played under manager Joe Maddon in Tampa Bay, and Maddon believes they can turn him around. "I've been around Fernando," Maddon said after the loss to the Giants. "I was there that year when he had the best in history ... a .60 ERA (in 2012). "He's got the kind of stuff to get out both righties and lefties. I know he had trouble a bit this year, but I'm eager to see him in person and find out what's going on. "We just spoke on the phone. He sounds really good. We'll see when we get him down here, get him in a game. He still has the good fastball, outstanding changeup, and he's a great teammate. He's a lot of fun to have on the team, so I'm looking forward to that." The trade was announced after Thursday's game. The 38-year-old Rodney had been designated for assignment by Seattle last Sunday, after going 5-5 with six blown saves in 22 chances, with a 5.68 ERA. Rodney was an AL All-Star closer last year when he posted a Mariners-record 48 saves, leading the majors in saves. He's also a character who can annoy the opposition and likes to shoot imaginary arrows into the air after saves. Zac Rosscup was sent to Iowa to make room for Rodney, and Brian Schlitter was designated for assignment. The Cubs' bullpen is in a state of flux due to injuries and ineffectiveness. Jason Motte is out for perhaps a month with a shoulder strain, and James Russell has been struggling, having given up a grand slam on Thursday. Newcomer Tommy Hunter has been a disappointment, and struggling ex-closer Rafael Soriano is rehabbing at Triple-A Iowa and expected to join the team soon. "The more the merrier," Maddon said. "You're talking about today's game. When you start winning a lot of games, having to abuse certain people. If you have more people, the abuse becomes less, if you have more people to count on late in games. He could just be helpful." --

Tribune Up next: Cubs at Dodgers Staff Friday and Sunday on WBBM-AM 780; Saturday on WBBM-FM 105.9. Season series: 2-2. Friday: 9:10 p.m., WGN-9. RH Jason Hammel (7-5, 3.35) vs. LH Clayton Kershaw (10-6, 2.29). Saturday: 8:10 p.m., ABC-7. LH Jon Lester (8-9, 3.44) vs. RH Mat Latos (4-9, 4.81). Sunday: 7:08 p.m., ESPN. RH Jake Arrieta (16-6, 2.22) vs. LH Alex Wood (9-8, 3.70). Who's hot: Arrieta is 5-0 with an 0.54 ERA in five starts in August. Starlin Castro is 6-for-16. Kershaw is 5-0 with a 0.90 ERA in nine starts in July and August. Andre Ethier is 6-for-8. Who's not: Dexter Fowler is 0-for-9 and nursing hand and knee injuries. Chris Denorfia is 2-for-22. Chase Utley is 4-for-21 since joining the Dodgers from the Phillies. Jimmy Rollins is 2-for-16. -- Tribune Cubs face one-two punch in Madison Bumgarner, Clayton Kershaw Paul Sullivan The Cubs will star in a live version of a roadrunner cartoon the next two days, facing two of the best pitchers of this generation. They’ll try to avoid having an anvil falling on their heads this afternoon at AT&T Park against Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner. On Friday night at Dodger Stadium, they’ll try to escape a rocket-propelled ACME Co. bomb, taking on Cy Young-winning lefty Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. Even if the Cubs suffer the same fate as Wile E. Coyote, the experience could be beneficial in the postseason, assuming they continue to hold onto their sizeable wild-card lead of 6 ½ games after Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to the Giants. "We weren't going to win them all,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Sorry, we weren't. It just wasn't going to happen.” The Cubs have won so regularly in August it feels strange to experience a loss. But they've been adept at putting yesterday behind them, avoiding prolonged losing streaks. On Wednesday, they couldn’t solve veteran Jake Peavy after a promising two-run first. The Giants scored the go-ahead run when Chris Denorfia made a risky dive on a sinking liner in center, letting it get past him for a triple, and Chris Coghlan took a poor route on Buster Posey’s double to right. This was not the best defensive outfield you’re going to see. Denorfia is adequate in center, but is really a corner outfielder. But with Dexter Fowler getting a well-deserved day off after fouling a pitch off his leg and Jorge Soler on the disabled list, it was the only alignment Maddon could feel comfortable with.

Curiously, Kris Bryant moved from third to center in seventh, with Tommy La Stella taking over at third after pinch-hitting. It’ll be interesting to see if Maddon uses Bryant instead of Coghlan in right against selected lefties now that La Stella is back. The Cubs could also call up Javier Baez and put him at third. Baez is hitting .453 with 13 RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak at Triple-A Iowa. This game down to a lack of clutch hitting by two Cubs rookies in the seventh. With the tying run on and one out, reliever Hunter Strickland came on and struck out Addison Russell before lefty Javier Lopez struck out Kyle Schwarber, who was leading off with Fowler out. Neither Schwarber nor Russell looked like they had a chance. They are, after all, rookies, though we’ve come to expect big things from both. “We're getting tested, and that's what we came here to do,” Russell said. “Whenever we get called, we just want to do our job and help the team win." Wile E. Maddon was in vintage form afterwards, chalking up the fateful seventh as a learning experience for both of the kids. “That was pretty good,” he said. “You have to understand our young guys are being schooled a bit, and I love it. It's a good training ground for down the road this year. Even Russell with Strickland -- that was a situation there also that we could have taken advantage of, and then the whole world changes at that point. “The other day (Corey) Kluber got us a little bit but we got the win. Understand that. We have some really inexperienced people that are learning on the fly right now. There's nothing to be worried about or talk negatively about. We're learning and I give our guys credit. We fought again. “Come back (Thursday). Hey, they've got a pretty good pitcher going (in Bumgarner) and so do we (in Dan Haren). So it's going to be another fun day game." Day or night, this is going to be one tough 48-hour stretch against two great pitchers and two teams fighting for the West Division lead, with the wild-card spot as a fallback. Bumgarner is 4-0 in August with a 1.42 ERA. The Cubs missed him in the rotation during their four-game sweep at Wrigley Field. In nine career starts against the Cubs, he’s 5-2 with a 2.54 ERA. Kershaw is 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break, and 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs. The Cubs can’t be expected to win both games against Bumgarner and Kershaw, and probably shouldn't win either. But in this Looney Tunes kind of season, you really can’t predict anything. “We could have come back (Wednesday) in whatever inning, but we didn't,” Schwarber said. “It's baseball. We got another opportunity to get out there and compete (Thursday). We're all looking forward to that.” Beep, beep. --