Pregame Notes: Chicago Cubs look to bounce back vs Padres

The Chicago Cubs will be looking to bounce back on track after letting yet another game slip away, dropping yesterday’s contest to the San Diego Padres by the score of 4-3.

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Today, they’ll turn to one of their last season’s break-out rookies in hopes of finding the win column. Tsuyoshi Wada (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was called up to take veteran southpaw Travis Woods‘ spot in the starting rotation after he was demoted to the bullpen this past week. Wada sustained a groin injury during spring training and began the year rehabbing with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.

In 2014, the 34-year-old picked up 13 big league starts, finishing with a 1.24 WHIP, 57/19 K/BB ratio, 4-4 record, and a 3.25 ERA across 69 1/3 innings. He’ll rejoin fellow rookie in Kyle Hendricks near the end of the rotation for the second straight year and is looking to cement a spot within this starting five for the remainder of the season for the Chicago Cubs (21-17).

Outfielder Chris Coghlan recorded his first multi-home run game yesterday after going deep in the top of the third and ninth on a total of three pitches between James Shields and Craig Kimbrel. Dexter Fowler followed with a solo bomb later in the third, giving Jason Hammel the 2-0 advantage early on.

Starting tonight for the Padres (20-20) opposite of Wada will be 28-year-old right-hander, Tyson Ross. Ross (2-3, 3.94 ERA) picked up a no-decision against the Cubs at Wrigley Field back in mid-April after allowing just three earned runs on five hits including one home run in 5 2/3 innings of work.

So far this month, he’s only allowed a combined six earned runs in 18 innings against the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Washington Nationals. His last win came at home with the Nationals in town, holding Bryce Harper and company to just two earned runs on five hits.

Ross has only managed to work into the seventh inning just one time this year, recording four starts in which he reached the fifth frame, and three where he exited after six. He’ll surely have his hands full with a couple San Diego former’s in Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.

First pitch for tonight’s contest is slated for 9:10 pm central time and will air live on both CSN, WBBM 780.

Next: Hammel Nothing Short of Dominant This Year