Extra bases

• The Cubs and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation announced more than $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations serving those in need in the Chicago area.

Through Cubs Care, more than $18 million has been donated to Chicago nonprofit organizations since 1991. Events such as the Chicago Cubs Bricks and Ivy Ball, Race to Wrigley 5K Run presented by Athletico and Catch in the Confines, along with activities such as the Cubs Convention, personal scoreboard messages, financial contributions from players and private contributions from fans have helped raise funds for these efforts.

The 2013 grantees include the Chicago Park District, which provides access for more than 10,000 low-income and special needs youth to play baseball each summer. A donation to Union League Boys & Girls Club will expand baseball throughout Chicago with instruction and teamwork through Senior and Junior Cubs RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities).

A donation to the Lake View YMCA will enhance their after-school program by incorporating a fitness and nutrition component to promote healthy lifestyles in youth.

• James Russell has thrown 11 scoreless innings over 14 appearances and is the first Cubs reliever in 44 years to not give up a run in the first month of the season while throwing at least 11 innings. The last reliever to do so was Ted Abernathy, who threw 16 2/3 shutout relief innings in April 1969. Russell's career high scoreless-innings streak is 14 from June 24-July 29, 2011.