Sun Apr 6 11:15:49 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Cubs send Zambrano to hill in finale with Astros

---

(Sports Network) - Still in search of their first winning streak of the young season, the Chicago Cubs will send ace Carlos Zambrano to the hill when the defending National League Central champs play the rubber match of a three- game series with the Houston Astros this afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Zambrano has also yet to record a victory in 2008, although the excitable right-hander certainly pitched well enough to win when he faced Milwaukee on Opening Day. Zambrano limited the Brewers to a mere three hits and walked just one over 6 2/3 shutout innings this past Monday, but found himself locked in a terrific pitcher's duel with Milwaukee's Ben Sheets.

Both hurlers did not allow a run in their stints and each received a no decision in a game the Brewers eventually won by a 4-3 score in 10 innings.

Zambrano wound up leaving Monday's game with a cramp in his right forearm, but the injury was believed to have been caused by dehydration and is not expected to affect his status for today's tilt.

The 26-year-old Venezuelan has excellent career numbers against Houston. In 26 overall appearances against the Astros, Zambrano is 10-6 with a 2.65 earned run average and has racked up 126 strikeouts over 139 1/3 innings.

Chicago lost three of its first four outings of 2008, including a 4-3 setback to the Astros on Friday, but used a five-run seventh-inning rally to hand Houston a 9-7 defeat yesterday afternoon.

Kosuke Fukudome laced a tie-breaking two-run double to highlight the Cubs' big frame, while Derrek Lee finished 4-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored to lead a 14-hit attack for Chicago. Fukudome, Reed Johnson and Mark DeRosa each collected a pair of hits, with Johnson driving in two runs on the day.

Kevin Hart picked up his first major league win after tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, while Kerry Wood notched his second save of the year with a perfect ninth inning.

Houston ace Roy Oswalt (0-2) received his second loss in as many starts after being touched for six runs (five earned) and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Carlos Lee belted a two-run homer and ended 3-for-4 for the Astros, who have lost four of six to begin the season and had two starters leave Saturdays contest due to injury. First baseman Lance Berkman exited in the fourth inning with neck spasms and third baseman Ty Wigginton left in the seventh because of a bruised thumb. Both players are considered day-to-day and may sit out today's finale.

Veteran Darin Erstad replaced Berkman at first base and went 2-for-2 with an RBI double and two runs scored.

Opposing Zambrano this afternoon will be Brandon Backe, who was handed a hard- luck loss in his season debut back on Tuesday. The oft-injured right-hander allowed just two runs and five hits over five innings against San Diego, but came out on the short end of a 2-1 decision.

Backe, who made just 13 starts over the previous two seasons due to elbow problems and Tommy John surgery, is 2-1 with a 4.97 ERA in six career games (5 starts) against the Cubs.

The Cubs won eight of 15 games versus the Astros last year, including six of nine at Wrigley Field.