Starlin Castro hit a home run and the Cubs batted around in a four-run seventh inning to beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 in a rain-shortened game Wednesday night.Heavy rain began falling with Miami batting in the top of the eighth and the teams never returned to the field. The game was called after a 1-hour, 17-minute delay. Castro hit his eighth home run of the season off Marlins starter Josh Johnson (5-7) leading off the fourth. Jeff Baker highlighted a seventh-inning rally with a two-run, pinch-hit double with the bases loaded.James Russell (3-0) pitched a scoreless seventh to earn the victory in relief of Jeff Samardzija, who struck out nine in five innings. Jose Reyes homered for Miami and Emilio Bonifacio had three hits, falling a home run shy of the cycle. The Cubs rebounded from a slow start to move to 13-5 over their past 18 games. They have won nine of their past 11 at home. Johnson retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced before Castro led off the fourth with a home run. Miami’s big right-hander responded by striking out the next three. Johnson was economical until trouble found him in the seventh. Alfonso Soriano singled to lead off and advanced to second on a wild pitch. He scored on Geovany Soto’s chopper over the head of Hanley Ramirez. Darwin Barney followed with a single to chase Johnson.Mike Dunn fared no better in relief, surrendering hits to the first two batters he faced, including the Baker’s double. David DeJesus’ sacrifice fly capped the four-run inning. Johnson was charged with four runs over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked one to continue an inconsistent season. He gave up seven earned runs in five June starts, but has allowed 14 runs in three starts in July.By contrast, Samardzija was effective for a third consecutive outing, allowing one run over five innings.Reyes ripped an 0-2 delivery over the wall in right field leading off the third to put the Marlins up 1-0. It was his fourth home run of the year.He got out of a jam in the fifth despite Bonifacio’s leadoff triple. Logan Morrison hit a grounder with the infield in, but Soto bobbled the throw on a botched rundown to put runners at second and third. Samardzija struck out Ramirez and got Greg Dobbs to ground out to end the threat.Samardzija was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fifth. He finished with nine strikeouts and two walks, scattering six hits.After a rough June, Samardzija has given up only five runs in 19 innings this month. Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was again given a villain’s welcome by the home crowd in his return to Chicago. After visiting the mound to remove Johnson in the seventh to a rain of boos, Guillen paused for a moment to banter with fans before disappearing into the visitor’s dugout.

NOTES—The Marlins activated RHP Edward Mujica (broken toe) from the 15-day DL. RHP Ryan Webb was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans. … Cubs OF Jorge Soler will make his minor league debut on Thursday as a DH in the rookie league in Arizona according to GM Theo Epstein. The 20-year-old Cuban prospect signed a nine-year, $30 million contract on June 30.

BOSTON—Cody Ross looked pretty comfortable and very productive hitting in David Ortiz’s usual spot in the lineup.Ross hit three-run homers in consecutive innings and Felix Doubront pitched six solid innings, carrying the Boston Red Sox to a 10-1 victory against the  White Sox on Wednesday night.

“When you have the guys on base and you have the heart of the order coming up, that puts a lot of pressure on the pitcher,” Ross said. “Any time you lose a David Ortiz it’s tough to make up for. No one can replace David Ortiz, he’s one of the best hitters in the game.”

On the day Boston put Ortiz on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right Achilles, the first four batters in the order were a combined 10-for-15 with nine runs and 10 RBIs through six innings.Ross did his damage in Ortiz’s customary No. 3 place in the order.

“We’ve been scoring runs with guys on the disabled list and different lineups,” Boston manager Bobby Valentine said.

The Red Sox moved past Texas with the high-scoring night and lead the majors in runs scored.Doubront has benefited from Boston’s offensive outbursts this season. The Red Sox have averaged 8.38 runs per nine innings in his starts.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “They’re doing a good job to help me.”

Adrian Gonzalez added a solo home run and drove in four runs, and Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits for Boston.Paul Konerko had an RBI single and walked twice for the White Sox, who lost for the fourth time in 12 games.The Red Sox have won two of three in the four-game series, which concludes Thursday night.Kevin Youkilis went 1 for 4 in his third game against his former team of 7½ seasons. He was traded to the White Sox on June 24.The 24-year old Doubront (10-4) joined Jon Lester as the only Red Sox to have double-digits wins in a season at 24 or younger since Roger Clemens in 1987. Clemens was 20-9 at 24 and Lester was 24 when he won 16 in 2008.Left-hander Pedro Hernandez took the loss in his major league debut, giving up eight runs and 12 hits — three home runs — in four-plus innings, walking one and striking out two.

“Just one of those days. He’s got good stuff, though,” Robin Ventura said. “I think that’s one of the things, you see pieces of it in there, pitches he was making in other counts. He’ll grow from it, learn.”

After the game Hernandez was sent back to Triple-A Charlotte. The club called up left-hander Donnie Veal from Charlotte to take his place.Ross broke a 1-1 tie with his home run in the third. Ellsbury and Carl Crawford opened the inning with singles before Ross hit a drive into the seats above the Green Monster.With Boston leading 4-1 in the fourth, Ross hit another shot into the Monster seats after Pedro Ciriaco and Ellsbury singled. One pitch later, Gonzalez lofted a drive into the first row of seats in left, making it 8-1.

“Obviously, Cody Ross had a big night there,” Konerko said. “Got a couple pitches to hit and didn’t miss them.”

Doubront allowed one run and four hits in six innings with three walks and two strikeouts. Three relievers held Chicago hitless in the final three innings.The White Sox went ahead on Konerko’s RBI single in the first, but Boston tied it in the bottom half on Gonzalez’s run-scoring single.The 23-year-old Hernandez was 7-2 in Double-A and pitched two games for Charlotte before getting the start.

NOTES—Ross had his 10th career multihomer, third this season…..Konerko played his 2,000th career game in a White Sox uniform — third-most in club history. Nellie Fox is next with 2,115. “He’ll get his number retired,” Ventura said. “No way around it.”….Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia, on the DL with strained right thumb, is eligible to return on Thursday. Valentine had a funny line to show how eager the infielder was: “He said he was ready about four days ago.”….Ventura said Philip Humber will start on Sunday and Dylan Axelrod will go to the bullpen….The White Sox optioned RHP Jhan Marinez to Charlotte to make room for Hernandez….Alejandro De Aza’s bat shattered and went flying into the stands about six rows behind the Red Sox on-deck circle and a male fan appeared to get a slight cut on the cheek….Ciriaco stole third in the fourth but was waved back by home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez, who interfered with catcher A.J. Pierzynski while he was throwing.

As much as he hates Wrigley Field, Ozzie Guillen had to enjoy this one.Carlos Lee hit a grand slam and the Miami Marlins beat the Cubs 9-5 on Tuesday night, giving Guillen a victory in his first game back managing in Chicago. Lee’s slam against Travis Wood highlighted a five-run fifth and tied him with Jimmie Foxx and Ted Williams for seventh on baseball’s career list with 17.Omar Infante also hit a home run and had three hits, giving him 17 in 36 at-bats at Wrigley Field. Hanley Ramirez also went deep in the game to back a strong start by Anibal Sanchez (5-6), and the Marlins won their second straight after dropping four of five.

“Little by little, hopefully we start getting better,” Guillen said. “We got big hits. Carlos has been taking over in RBI situations, doing a tremendous job going after it and bringing those guys in. We’re going to need more than that.”

Overall, though, he liked what he saw in his first game in Chicago since a messy split with the White Sox at the end of last season. He led the South Siders to a 678-617 record that included a championship in 2005, their first since 1917, but his tenure ended after his relationship with general manager Ken Williams disintegrated.On Tuesday, he heard plenty of boos. Hardly a surprise, given he was on the North Side and visiting the old ballpark that he has blasted as a rat-infested dump.He said his wife was booing him.

“I asked why and she said she didn’t want them to know she was my wife because she’d be killed in the stands,” Guillen said. “I respect them. That’s fine.”

The Cubs simply couldn’t strike the big blow, stranding 10 runners, and took the loss after winning 12 of 16. It didn’t help, either, that Wood (4-4) unraveled after winning his previous four starts. The left-hander lasted only 4 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits and eight runs.Miami scored three against him in the fourth, with Infante’s two-run drive to left capping that rally. They then chased him during a five-run fifth, the big blow coming when Lee drove the first pitch to the left-field seats after Sanchez, Jose Reyes and Emilio Bonifacio all singled to start the inning.The slam was Lee’s first since July 25, 2011, with Houston. It was also his first home run since the Marlins acquired him from the Astros on July 4.

“You go out there and try to hit home runs, you’re going to fail 90 percent of the time, and I know it,” Lee said.

Wood simply shrugged off that blow, saying, “Lee hit a good pitch. It was down and in. He just dropped the barrel.”

Wood left after giving up a one-out double to Ramirez and retiring Austin Kearns on a fly. Rafael Dolis came in and gave up back-to-back singles to Infante and John Buck that made it 8-0.That was plenty for Sanchez, who allowed nine hits but only two runs (one earned) over seven innings while striking out seven and walking two. He gave up a solo home run to Jeff Baker in the fifth. The Cubs got another run in the sixth when Geovany Soto doubled and came around after Ramirez let Joe Mather’s grounder to third go under his glove.Ramirez made up for it in the seventh with a solo shot that made it 9-2, his second hit of the game.

“We played a great game,” Lee said. “Anibal pitched a great game. We got on base, we got some key hits. That’s the name of the game.”

NOTES—When fans booed him during a pitching change in the eighth, Guillen responded by pointing toward his ring finger on his left hand — the one where he would wear his championship ring. …Carlos Zambrano, who had his issues when he pitched for the Cubs, said he got a warm welcome when he visited the city about two weeks ago. Miami was visiting Milwaukee and he went to check on his Chicago house. “People in the street were very appreciative of me. … They say, ‘Too bad that you left. We miss you Z.’ I appreciate that. But there are some people that don’t like me. There’s nothing I can do about it.” Zambrano is not scheduled to start in this series. … Cubs manager Dale Sveum said he doesn’t foresee an innings limit on first-year starter Jeff Samardzija. The 27-year-old right-hander is 6-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 17 starts and is on pace for about 186. His career high in the minors was 141 2/3 in 2007. His previous high in the majors was 88 innings as a reliever in 2011. Samardzija starts for the Cubs on Wednesday against Josh Johnson (5-6, 4.28).

BOSTON—Kevin Youkilis drove a full-count pitch over Fenway Park’s famed left-field wall, lowered his head and started to trot around the bases as fans loudly cheered “Yooouk!” The scene was familiar everywhere in the ballpark except the scoreboard, where Youkilis’ three-run shot was tallied for the visiting White Sox in a 7-5 victory against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

“You never know here, but it’s been great,” Youkilis said of his reception. “Fans have treated me unbelievable and I can’t thank them enough for all the kind things they keep saying from the stands every day and every inning. Not too many opponents get to come in here and have that opportunity. Usually it’s a little more negative at the opposition.”

Youkilis isn’t just another former Red Sox. He was one of the most popular players on the club for years before the June 24 trade and two games into the Sox-Sox series in Boston, he’s still a fan favorite.Youkilis had three hits the night before, but the Red Sox won the series opener 5-1. His eighth home run of the season was his only hit Tuesday and brought him up to 4 for 8 in the series with two doubles, a home run, three RBI and four runs scored.

“Yeah, he’s just showing off, just rising to the occasion for us and being in big spots,” Robin Ventura said. “I think there’s something when you get traded, there’s something to prove and that all goes into it with a lot of people that’s happened to. Coming back here, not that he says anything, but it’s nice for him to get in those situations and come through.”

The White Sox won for the eighth time in 11 games and are 10 games above .500 (50-40) for the fourth time this season.Philip Humber (4-4) made his first start in a month and settled down after allowing two runs in a shaky first inning, when the Red Sox tagged him for three hits and two runs to tie it after the Visitors went up 2-0 in the top of the first.Humber had been on the disabled list as he recovered from a right elbow strain. He was activated earlier Tuesday and gave the White Sox six strong innings, scattering six hits, striking out three and not walking a batter before leaving the game after throwing 104 pitches.Kelly Shoppach had a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighth for the Red Sox off Matt Thornton to pull Boston to 7-5, but closer Addison Reed came on in the ninth and picked up his 15th save.Carl Crawford continued his strong start since joining the Red Sox on Monday after rehabilitating wrist and elbow injuries during the first half of the season. Crawford went 3 for 4, stole three bases and scored twice on Tuesday. In two games back, Crawford is 4 for 7 with four runs scored.Jon Lester (6-6) had good velocity, but poor control from the start and threw 50 pitches in the first two innings. He threw 27 in the first when Youkilis walked and Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko and Alex Rios followed with hits to put the White Sox up 2-0.Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez hit RBI singles to tie it in the bottom of the first, but the White Sox went up in the second with a run, then Youkilis blew it open in the fourth.

“It was a frustrating night for Jon,” Boston manager Bobby Valentine said. “After he gave up the two in the first and we came back, he thought he’d be able to settle down and get us the victory. His control just wasn’t there.”

With two on and two outs, Youkilis hit a towering shot to left to put the White Sox up 6-2 in the fourth. Boston fans cheered “Yooouk!” as he trotted around the bases, showing the former Red Sox third baseman will always be beloved in Boston. It was Youkilis’ fourth home run since being traded, tying his total with the Red Sox in 42 games this season.Lester allowed six runs on seven hits over four innings.

NOTES—An MRI showed no tear in David Ortiz’s right Achilles tendon, but the Boston slugger will have it looked at again and Boston will decide after the second opinion comes in whether to put Ortiz on the disabled list. Ortiz injured the tendon while rounding second on Gonzalez’s home run in the eighth on Monday….Boston pitching coach Bob McClure said Franklin Morales will move back to the bullpen after making five starts for the short-handed Red Sox…..  Youkilis hit 65 homers at Fenway as a member of the Red Sox…..The White Sox placed Gavin Floyd on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow tendinitis, clearing the roster spot for Humber….The White Sox didn’t reach 50 wins until July 24 last season, when a victory against Detroit put them at 50-51.

BOSTON—It was almost perfect for Boston Red Sox fans: They cheered Kevin Youkilis early in the game and enjoyed a late-inning rally by their team. A limping David Ortiz just put a bit of a damper on the nice night.Adrian Gonzalez spoiled Youkilis’ return to Fenway Park, hitting a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning of a 5-1 win over the White Sox on Monday.The Red Sox traded Youkilis on June 24, sending the three-time All-Star and cash to the White Sox for utilityman Brent Lillibridge and a minor league pitcher.Lillibridge was designated for assignment by Bostopn before the game. Youkilis went 3 for 4 with two doubles in his first game back at his longtime home.Youkilis was serenaded with chants of “Yooooouk” when he stepped to the plate in the first.

“It was a great ovation. It was just a cool thing from the fans,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough for all the support they’ve given me.”

The Red Sox received a scare when Ortiz came up limping after rounding second on Gonzalez’s homer and limped badly all the way to the dugout.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said he’ll have an MRI on his right Achilles on Tuesday.

“He’s little upset and a little sore, but it doesn’t look he pulled anything or tore anything,” he said. “It’s probably going to be some days, though. It’s that Achilles. You know, he’s had the heel and where the Achilles attaches in the back of the heel. I guess he’s had it in the past.”

Ortiz spoke briefly and was somewhat encouraged.

“Yeah, I got sore, but I didn’t feel any pop, so that’s a good sign,” he said. “I iced it so it’s not as bad as it was.”

Carl Crawford returned to Boston’s lineup after missing the entire season with left elbow and wrist injuries, going 1 for 3 with a walk.Crawford and Ortiz opened the eighth with consecutive walks against Leyson Septimo (0-1). Gonzalez then hit a drive into the seats above the Green Monster for just his seventh homer of the season.Vicente Padilla (3-0) worked one inning for the win, and Alfredo Aceves finished the game.Ortiz had a walk and single, giving him 10 straight with at least one hit and a walk to set a club record. Ted Williams held the previous mark, going nine straight in 1950.Youkilis received a warm welcome when he walked up to the plate before his first at-bat. The burly third baseman took off his helmet, turned and waved to all corners.He then singled up the middle against Aaron Cook. Adam Dunn followed with a grounder to second and Youkilis kept going toward an uncovered third with a shifted infield. First baseman Gonzalez then fired the ball into left for an error, allowing Youkilis to score.

“It was nice,” Robin Ventura said. “I think everyone kind of kind of expected that for what he’s done here.”

Crawford singled in the bottom half and scored on Gonzalez’s single to right.Both starters were solid. Cook allowed five hits in seven innings and is 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled after getting spiked and cutting his left knee covering home plate.

“Me and Youk grew up together in the Cincinnati area,” Cook said. “We were on the same travel team for three years. Today is pretty special.”

Dylan Axelrod matched his career high with eight strikeouts and yielded seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

NOTES—John Danks, out with a mild muscle strain in his shoulder, played long toss and was encouraged by the results. “I feel like I’m making progress,” he said before the game. “[Tuesday] we’re going to try doing the same, Wednesday off and Thursday push it back a little farther. Thursday will tell a lot.” He went on the 15-day disabled list in May and figured he would be back by now….Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury played his fourth straight game since coming off the DL Friday against Tampa Bay. He was sidelined since mid-April with an injured right shoulder.

DEERFIELD—The Bulls traded forward Kyle Korver to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for a trade exception and cash considerations.A nine-year veteran of the NBA, Korver spent two seasons in with the Bulls after signing as a free agent on July 13, 2010.  During his two years with the Bulls, he played in 147 games (seven starts) and averaged 8.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 1.6 apg in 21.2 mpg.  While in on the West Side, he also shot .433 from the field, .425 from behind the arc and .863 from the line.
Korver also appeared in 22 playoff games for the Bulls, and posted 5.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, but his shooting percentage dropped in Post season at .392 shooting from the field and .400 from downtown in 16.8 mpg. Korver down side was inconsistency.
What’s happening with Omer Asik and Houston? Stay tuned.

LAKE FOREST—Earlier Monday we listed the franchise-tagged players most likely to receive a contract extension before Monday’s 3 p.m. CT negotiation deadline. Matt Forte topped that list, and with good reason: the Bears running back agreed to a four-year deal.Sean Jenson of the Sun-Times reported the deal first. CBSSports.com’s Mike Freeman confirms reports that the deal is worth approximately $8 million a year.

Earlier this offseason, we saw a number of contracts to big-name running backs. The Eagles gave LeSean McCoy a five-year deal worth a reported $45 million. Arian Foster also signed a five-year deal worth $43.5 million with the Texans this offseason. And Marshawn Lynch signed a four-year deal worth $31 million.

So, depending on how much guaranteed money Forte got, he may ultimately be slotted correctly in terms of the contract. He’s worth more than Lynch (in my opinion) but clearly isn’t as good as McCoy or Foster, regardless of how much of the Bears offense ran through him.

Additionally, Forte was operating from a standpoint that lacked serious leverage: he had been tendered by the Bears, he’s got injury history (recent injury history no less), and the Bears inked Michael Bush this offseason in order to protect themselves from possibly missing Forte for any length of time.

KANSAS CITY—Chris Sale was short of his All-Star best. He was still good enough to win his eight straight decision.Adam Dunn homered in his third straight game and the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 2-1 Sunday.Sale (11-2) is 8-0 with two no-decisions since a May 12 loss to the Royals. He allowed one run and scattered a season-high 10 hits eight innings to lower his earned run average to 2.11, which ranks second on the American League. He struck out four and walked none.

“Obviously, a lot of hits,” Sale said. “You just try to brush that off and keep going about what you need to do and have that mindset and go out and still make pitches.”

Sale, who is from Florida, liked the 94 degree temperature for the first pitch.

“I’ve always said I like pitching in warm weather way better than cold. It’s definitely nice to have some heat out there today.”

Sale threw 115 pitches, but manager Robin Ventura had no qualms about sending him out for the eighth inning.

“It was his game,” Ventura said. “He finds a way to get himself into trouble and out of trouble, too.”

Dunn, who leads the league with 28 home runs, drilled a 2-0 pitch from Luis Mendoza (3-6) just inside the right-field pole in the first inning. Dunn has 65 hits overall this season, meaning 43 percent of them have been home runs.

“On 2-0, I was geared up for a fastball and it was a changeup,” Dunn said. “I just caught it out in front. I don’t hit many of those line drive home runs. I could have easily hooked it foul. That was obviously a positive thing. That’s what we’ve been working on all spring to stay inside of it.”

Addison Reed, who blew a save Friday, worked a scoreless ninth for his 14th save in 16 opportunities. The White Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the second when Alex Rios singled, A.J. Pierzynski was hit by a pitch and Dayan Viciedo hit an infield single. They converted that into just one run when Rios scored as Alexei Ramirez grounded into a double play. Mendoza threw but seven pitches to five batters that inning. Mendoza allowed just one hit after the second inning, but took the loss. He gave up two runs on four hits in 7 1/3 innings, while striking out six and walking four.The Royals avoided a shutout when Mike Moustakas, who led off the fifth with a single and advanced to second on a Sale wild pitch, scored on a Chris Getz single. Getz moved to third on Alex Gordon’s single, but was stranded when Alcides Escobar struck out and Butler grounded out.The Royals went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position against Sale.

“We knew who we had to face today and he was as good as advertised,” Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. “He has his fastball in the 86 to 95 range and a change of pace and the slurve. His speed is all over the place. With him it’s hard to get that gapper. You’ve got to be patient. You can’t be trying to kill if or he’ll get you with that off-speed every time.”

The AL Central leading White Sox are 7-2 in their past nine games. The Royals lost for the 10th time in 13 games.

NOTES—Dunn has homered in three straight games for the second time this season. The first was June 9-12. … Paul Konerko is hitting .228 since May 28. He had a .399 average before then. … LHP Jonathan Sanchez, who has not won since April 8, will be the Royals’ starter Monday for the series opener against Seattle. The Mariners will counter with LHP Jason Vargas. … The White Sox travel to Boston, which will be a homecoming for 3B Kevin Youkilis. The Red Sox dealt him on June 24 to the Sox.

Matt Garza threw seven shutout innings and Darwin Barney homered to lift the Cubs to a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 3-1 win Sunday.Garza’s outing was his best since late April and continued a five-game stretch during which Cub pitchers have posted a 1.23 ERA.

“I felt good today,” Garza said. “I was able to stay in my mechanics today, and when I didn’t I was able to catch myself and adjust quick.”

Barney clubbed a Trevor Cahill pitch into the left-field bleachers for a two-run homer in the second inning to help the Cubs match a season high with its fourth straight win.

“It’s not my approach but you’ve got to make adjustments at this level,” Barney said. “Two strikes, I’m looking to hit the ball the other way toward second, but luckily I ran into something.”

Garza (5-7) held Arizona to five hits and one walk, striking out seven en route to his first win in July. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in his last 18 starts at Wrigley Field.

“Who knows why certain people pitch better in certain ballparks, pitch better at home than on the road?” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. “He’s been pretty outstanding at home, there’s no doubt about it.”

Carlos Marmol got the last two outs for his 10th save. He allowed a pair of baserunners, but struck out Geoff Blum and got Gerardo Parra on a comebacker to end it. Cahill (7-8) allowed three runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings, losing for the third time in his last four decisions.Aaron Hill hit his 12th homer in the eighth and reached base three times to pace the struggling Arizona offense.

“When you’re not hitting, it magnifies things,” Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. “The story of the series was our lack of offense and inconsistency.”

Barney’s homer was his fourth of the season, doubling his total from 2011. He reported to spring training this year with a bulkier physique in response to last season, when he wore down.

“Losing 20 pounds last year, that was hard. It’s hard on your body,” Barney said. “I’ve done a decent job of maintaining this year. It just gives you more energy.”

Barney added a sparkling play up the middle on Gerardo Parra’s grounder to end the Arizona seventh and extended his errorless streak at second base to 75 games.

“Like I said before, there’s nobody that’s been better at second base than he has,” Sveum said.

Rookie Anthony Rizzo singled up the right-field line to score David DeJesus in the first. Rizzo is hitting .356 with 10 RBI in 15 games since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa.

“When we brought up the kid, it was real exciting,” Garza said. “Real exciting. Putting his presence in the lineup, you see what happens.”

The streaking Cubs have won 12 of their last 16 games since June 25, the best record in baseball over that span, they outscored Arizona 15-3 in the series. Nevertheless, Chicago has had to deal with rumors about the team being broken up through trades.

“You think about that a lot,” Sveum said. “You don’t dwell on it, but just to be having a streak like this and win a lot of ballgames, you don’t want to lose pieces to that puzzle.”

Garza and fellow starter Ryan Dempster in particular have been the subject of ubiquitous trade rumors. With scouts of several teams in attendance Sunday, Garza was in control throughout, allowing more than one baserunner in just two of his seven innings.Garza said he has a good reason to ignore trade scuttlebutt.

“I’ve got a wife who is due in about 23 days, so rumor mill can wait,” Garza said. “That’s the last thing on my mind right now. I’ve got a wife who is just ready to pop.”

Garza struck out Justin Uptown swinging with two on to end the third, getting the struggling slugger on an off-speed pitch. He repeated the trick against Parra, who chased a pitch in the dirt with two runners on to end the fourth. As for the trade rumors, Barney — another name that has cropped up — echoed Garza’s sentiment that he’s content to stay put.

“Being a Cub since I was drafted, you don’t like hearing those things,” Barney said. “It’s nice to know people are interested. But I want to be here. Whatever happens, happens. It’s a business.”

NOTES—Arizona OF Jason Kubel was held out of the starting lineup for a second straight day because of tightness in his right hamstring. He suffered the injury while slipping on a wet field in Friday’s game. … Former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood paid a visit to his old clubhouse before the game, his first trip to Wrigley Field since his retirement ceremony on May 19. … Cahill, who entered the game with just three hits in 45 at-bats, singled twice for his first career two-hit game.

MILWAUKEE—Using his second start of 2012, Luke Drone settled in quick to direct the Rush to their tenth victory of the year. On the strength of his seven-touchdown effort the Rush (10-7) defeated the Milwaukee Mustangs (5-12) 57-54 in front of 6,284 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center Saturday night.

“I thought Luke did a great job tonight. He played a great second half, controlled the offense like we asked him to and we got the victory because of him and the guys in this locker room,” stated head coach Bob McMillen.

Reggie Gray put a game worth of stats into the first half by catching 8 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Leaping into the end zone for a score on the Rush’s first possession Gray followed things up by gliding down the field to catch a 45-yard touchdown in stride to put the Rush up 14-13. However, it was a touchdown he didn’t hold onto that swung the momentum Milwaukee’s way in the first half. Mustang linebacker/wide receiver Marcus Everett tipped the ball out of Gray’s hands in the end zone to secure his second red zone interception of the half. Mustang quarterback Gino Guidugli then tossed a pass Jonathan Wilson’s way as he streaked past Jorrick Calvin for a 24-yard touchdown, giving Milwaukee their largest lead of the game with six minutesleft in the second quarter.Poor tackling doomed the Rush defense again on Milwaukee’s next possession as a short completion to Taurian Washington ended up going for six when Jorrick Calvin’s arm tackle went for not. A last minute Rush push for a score clanked off the left upright as Joe Houston missed on a 30-yard attempt as time expired on the second quarter. The Mustangs ability to go 3-3 on red zone opportunities to Chicago’s 2-5 was the reason for their 34-21 halftime advantage.

The Rush sprung out of the locker room early from the break and it appeared to charge them on the opening kickoff as Reggie Gray weaved his way 54-yards for his third return touchdown of the year.

“Last year I was disrespected and didn’t get Rookie of the Year and this year the (AFL) said I wasn’t even an option for Ironman of the Year. It’s kind of disrespectful and I wanted to come out and show the league wrong,” stated Gray about how his 2012 season should put him in the Ironman of the Year conversation.

Backing him up on his kickoff return score was Calvin who brought down his ninth interception of the year by withstanding a tough take down by Jonathan Wilson.Gray’s sixth touchdown of the game retook the lead 35-34, but Milwaukee responded with a six play, 47-yard drive on the shoulders of receiver Wilson whose 39 receiving yards set up Guidugli’s second rushing touchdown of the game.The Rush offense couldn’t be stopped when Marquis Hamilton used the shadow of Gray to sneak his way for a 9-yard touchdown catch three seconds into the fourth quarter.The tipping point came with 10:48 to go in the fourth quarter as Milwaukee faced a fourth and goal at the Rush four-yard line. Guidugli tossed up a fade pass to the right side of the end zone, but Semaj Moody out muscled Jared Jenkins to deflect the ball to the ground. With the Rush taking over it was time for the quirkiest play of the game. Drone tossed a pass that deflected off Mustang defensive back Lance Caldwell and rolled on top of the side board where Rush defensive lineman Jeffrey Fitzgerald, positioned on the bench, grabbed the ball away to prevent the interception. It caused a 15-yard penalty for interference, but allowed the Rush to retain possession. A few plays later Jared Perry used a wheel route to skirt down the sidelines for a 36-yard touchdown catch on fourth and eleven. A fake extra point by Drone tossed two more points up on the scoreboard giving the Rush a 50-41 lead with 7:35 left in the game.Wilson continued his impressive effort by catching his second touchdown of the night to put the stamp on his 10 catch, 142-yard and two touchdown effort. But the celebration was a quick after thought when the Rush responded with another score in two plays after securing Milwaukee’s onside kick attempt. Hamilton’s second touchdown catch of the game put the Rush back up 57-48 and marked his first multi-touchdown game since the home opener. Drone finished the evening with 327 passing yards and seven touchdowns, while his counterpart Guidugli finished the night with 378 passing yards and six touchdowns. Rush Rookie of the Year candidate Jared Perry caught 9 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. The victory by the Rush gives them their sixth season in franchise history with double digit regular season wins. They look to close out the season with another victory by traveling to Cleveland for a 6:30 p.m. game July 21st.(6:15 for the Pre Game Show on U-Sream. Log onto www.arenarush.com and click on RUSH TV).

National Guard MVP – CHI Reggie Gray

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – CHI Reggie Gray

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – MIL Marcus Everett

Cutters Catch of the Week – Jonathan Wilson’s one-handed touchdown catch

AFL Playmaker of the Game – MIL Marcus Everett

Spalding Highlight of the Game – CHI Reggie Gray’s kickoff return for a TD

JLS Ironman of the Game – CHI Reggie Gray