7/7 Extra bases

* The Cubs are 24-33 in 57 games decided by three or fewer runs this season, including a 10-17 mark in one-run decisions. The Cubs are a season-low 18 games under .500 for the first time since completing play Sept. 13 last season at 63-81.

* Carlos Pena is one of four Cubs left-handed hitters to reach 18 homers before the All-Star break. He joins Billy Williams, Rick Monday and Henry Rodriguez. Williams hit 19 before the break in 1964, 26 in 1970, and 22 in ’72. Monday hit 21 before the break in ’73 and Rodriguez hit 19 in ’98. All of Pena’s homers have come since May 3.

* In 14 games since June 24, Aramis Ramirez has hit .385 with three doubles, nine homers, 15 RBIs and 16 runs scored. He has a 1.372 OPS in that stretch, second in the Majors behind the Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez. His 14 homers are the most before the break since he hit 17 in the first half of 2008 season.

– Carrie Muskat