Dodgers 3 - 4 Cubs
Final/11
  for this game

Wood steps in for flu-ridden Garza, as Cubs close set with Dodgers

May 6, 2012 - 2:39 PM (Sports Network) - Travis Wood makes his 2012 major league debut today for the Cubs as they play the Dodgers in the rubber match of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

Wood takes the place of an ailing Matt Garza, who is out due to the flu. Wood compiled a 6-6 record with a 4.84 ERA in 22 games (18 starts) last season for the Reds. The lefty was traded to the Cubs in December in the deal that sent Sean Marshall to Cincinnati.

Over his career, Wood is 1-1 with a 7.59 ERA in two games against the Dodgers.

Los Angeles counters with Aaron Harang, who threw 5 2/3 innings in a loss at Colorado on Monday. The righty, who will pitch three days shy of his 34th birthday, is 11-8 with a 4.45 ERA in 25 games against the Cubs. Harang has beaten Chicago in both of his previous two outings.

Yesterday, Chris Capuano tossed seven scoreless innings and helped his own cause with a two-run double, as the Dodgers posted a 5-1 win.

Capuano (4-0) scattered three hits, walked two and struck out seven. The southpaw is off to his best start since going 5-0 for the Brewers in 2007.

"I added a breaking ball in spring training that's been helping me out that I've had a pretty good feel for," Capuano said. "(I have) a cut fastball and working a good two-seamer. It's good having a couple more weapons out there. I have more options to go to."

Matt Kemp, Dee Gordon and Matt Treanor each knocked in a run for Los Angeles, which avoided its first three-game losing streak of the season.

Struggling Chicago right-hander Chris Volstad (0-4) started in place of Matt Garza, who was scratched because of the flu, and surrendered five runs on four hits and three walks in five frames.

Volstad is 0-9 over his last 17 outings.

"It wasn't our day from the beginning," Volstad said.

Chicago first baseman Bryan LaHair extended his streak to 23 straight games reaching base. He's the first Cubs first baseman to have such a streak since Derrek Lee's 30-game run during the 2009 season.

The Cubs last had a winning season series against the Dodgers in 2008 (5-2).






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