• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Harden makes Cubs debut against Giants

Jul 12, 2008 - 10:05 AM San Francisco (39-54) at Chi Cubs (56-37), 1:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Rich Harden makes his much-anticipated debut as a member of the Chicago Cubs against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

The Cubs acquired Harden (5-1, 2.34 ERA with Oakland) and righthander Chad Gaudin from the Athletics for four players, adding another stud arm to their rotation.

The trade was a potent counter in a developing NL Central race to the rival Milwaukee Brewers' acquisition of 2007 American League Cy Young award winner CC Sabathia from the the Cleveland Indians.

"We're very happy to have Rich here," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said. "Let's keep him healthy and pitching and we'll go from there."

The Giants will counter with Kevin Correia (1-5, 4.96), who last started nine days ago but made a relief appearance against the New York Mets on Tuesday in which he allowed one run and two hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Starter Matt Cain threw seven shutout innings on Friday, but reliever Tyler Walker surrendered a three-run home run to Aramis Ramirez in the eighth, which secured the Cubs' 3-1 win .

Ryan Theriot had his 36th multi-hit game of the year, tying him with Washington's Cristian Guzman for the National League lead.