Chris Volstad picked up his 2nd win in a row after going winless in 24 straight starts.  Volstad pitched 5 2/3 effective innings, allowing just 2 ER on 5 hits and 3 walks.  He is now 2-9 on the season.

In the Cubs 6-4 win, Anthony Rizzo, Alfonso Soriano and Wellington Castillo each had 2 hits.  Soriano hit his 24th homer of the season and drove in 3 runs.  Rizzo hit his 10th long ball of the season.

Darwin Barney played in his 116th straight errorless game at 2nd base, extending the National League single-season record that he set on Wednesday night.

And just 2 days after signing a monster 7-year, $60 million contract extension, Starlin Castro had 2 hits, 3 runs scored and 2 RBI’s in the Cubs dramatic, come-from-behind 12-11 win over the Brewers on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field.  Castro is hitting .277 on the season with 12 home runs, 65 runs scored and 65 RBI’s.  Castro received a $6 million signing bonus and the rest of the deal breaks down like this — $5 million in 2013 and 2014; $6 million in 2015; $7 million in 2016; $9 million in 2017; $10 million in 2018 and $11 million in 2019.  Castro will be a fixture in the Cubs lineup for years to come…

Cubs continue the weekend series against the Giants on Saturday afternoon at 12 noon.

Chris Volstad finally ended the streak – picking up his 1st win in 25 starts.  Volstad had to endure 2 rain delays (1 for over 2 hours that delayed the start of the game and then 1 more after 8 innings that lasted a half hour before the umpires made the game official).  Volstad was glad to get the “monkey” off his back: “I got a pretty big welcome, reception whatever you want to call it when they called the game.  Everyone was prety happy. I was pretty happy, as well… There is a little sense of relief to get it over with.”

Volstad worked 6 2/3 scoreless innings to endure the win.  He scattered 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3.

On the offensive side, David DeJesus, Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro each had 3 hits in the win.  Castro scored 3 runs.

The Cubs are now 49-77 and they host the Milwaukee Brewers for a 4-game set at Wrigley Field starting tonight.