Chicago Cubs

Despite helping his cause with a two-run home run in the second inning, Cubs pitcher Scott Feldman endured a rough outing Friday against the Reds.

Feldman (4-4) blew a 3-0 lead by surrendering five runs in the fourth, including a solo home run by Joey Votto and a three-run shot to Ryan Hanigan. The right-hander was charged with five runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked one as he suffered his first loss since April 21.

Feldman had allowed three runs over his last 28 2/3 innings entering Friday. His ERA rose from 2.19 to 2.80. He is scheduled to start Wednesday at home against the White Sox. He has allowed two runs over his last three starts (22 2/3 innings) at Wrigley Field.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum told MLB.com Friday he wants to see pitcher Edwin Jackson throw with more conviction and be at maximum velocity throughout his entire outing.

Jackson allowed four runs on six hits in three innings as his start was cut short by rain Thursday afternoon. There have been no discussions about taking Jackson out of the rotation.

"You've got a commitment there. You've got to stick with the commitment and coach them and teach," Sveum said. "It's not like he's a kid. He's a veteran player. Sometimes you just have to do it yourself. People play in the big leagues a long time. Sometimes you just have to do the things to get better yourself."

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is hitless in his last four games after going 0 for 4 in a 4-2 loss to the Pirates Thursday. Rizzo has made 17 plate appearances during his four-game skid and hasn't reached base safely once.

Rizzo's line has fallen to .256/.320/.489 with the slump, but he does have 10 home runs on the year. He'll try to stop his skid this weekend against the Reds.

Cubs pitcher Edwin Jackson's Thursday start was cut short by rain, but it didn't look like he was long for the mound with the way he was pitching even before an hour and 47-minute rain delay.

Jackson surrendered six hits in the outing in just three innings, and ran into trouble in each of his first two innings. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in the first inning, and then gave up two more runs on three more hits in the second.

Jackson settled down in the third inning with a pair of strikeouts, but the rain opened up and he had no chance to continue his outing. He finished with four runs allowed on six hits in three innings of work, with three strikeouts and one walk, while taking the loss in a 4-2 final.

Jackson's ERA rose to 6.11 in the start, while his record dropped to 1-7. Jackson is set to take the mound Tuesday against the White Sox. 

Cubs outfield prospect Albert Almora finally kicked off the season at Class A Kane County Wednesday after beginning the year sidelined because of a broken bone in his left hand. Almora wasted little time making an impact, going 3 for 4 with one double and one RBI.

"I just went in there like any other game," Almora said, per MLB.com. "It's the same game, just a different atmosphere. I saw some pitches I liked. I saw good pitches and they happened to find the hole. Everything went good."

The 2012 first-round pick (sixth overall) is "super excited" to start playing in games after being sidelined since mid-March. Almora is considered a top 40 prospect by Baseball America (No. 33) and MLB.com (No. 39).

"To be honest, I worked my butt off," he said. "I worked all morning and whatever I could do baseball-wise, I did it. I just didn't stop. They told me not to rush it, and that was the best advice that anyone's ever given me. But you still, as a baseball player, you want to get out there as soon as possible to help your team hard. It was super-hard to control my emotions."