Cubs look at first-half positives after loss

CHICAGO - The first half of the Cubs' season ended with a whimper. A ninth-inning groundout to second, followed by the din of 41,574 sullen fans trudging out of Wrigley Field. There was no “Go, Cubs, Go,” no hearty celebration. Just silence. The harsh reality of a rare home loss. But rather than reflect on a defeat, the Cubs chose to focus on the positive. “It was a good first half,” Lou Piniella said after his team finished the opening half of the season with a 4-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. The Cubs never have had the best record in baseball heading into the All-Star Game, which dates to 1933. The Cubs record of 57-38 ties them with the Angels for the best record in the majors. They lead the NL Central at the break for the first ti