9/12 Extra bases

* On Wednesday, the Cubs end a stretch of 20 games in 20 days that began Aug. 24. So far, the team is 8-11. After an off day Thursday, the Cubs begin a 10-day, 10-game homestand against the Pirates, Reds and Cardinals.

* Wednesday’s game will be the Cubs’ last at Minute Maid Park before the Astros move to the American League West. The two teams meet again this year, Oct. 1-3, at Wrigley Field, and the Astros also are scheduled to play at Wrigley Field next year in Interleague play.

* Darwin Barney now has gone an National League record 127 straight games without an error at second. The Major League record is 141 games, set by Placido Polanco in 2007 with the Tigers. Barney’s streak spans 1,021 1/3 innings since his only miscue at second base this year, April 17 in Miami.

* Pitching matchups vs. Pirates:

Friday: LHP Chris Rusin (0-2, 5.73) vs. RHP James McDonald (12-7, 3.93)

Saturday: RHP Jason Berken (0-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Wandy Rodriguez (10-13, 3.72)

Sunday: RHP Chris Volstad (3-10, 5.99) vs. LHP Jeff Locke (0-1, 4.11)

Monday: LHP Travis Wood vs. RHP Kevin Correia (10-9, 4.29)

– Carrie Muskat