GAME THREAD: NL: CHICAGO CUBS (58-54) at HOUSTON (50-63)

NL: CHICAGO CUBS (58-54) at HOUSTON (50-63)

<h3>Zambrano, Cubs try to salvage series finale vs. Astros</h3>

<div class="pre">Chicago Cubs (58-54) at Houston (50-63) 8:05 pm EDT</div>

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs turn to ace Carlos Zambranoto stop their current struggles.


Zambrano will start when the Cubs try to salvage the final gameof a three-game series with the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Chicago has lost three straight games, including two in a row toHouston, to remain one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in theNational League Central. The Cubs dropped a 7-3 decision onTuesday and will need to find a way to stay competitive withoutthe services of All-Star outfielder Alfonso Soriano.

Tuesday's loss was the second straight game Chicago had to playwithout the left fielder, who tore his right quadriceps inSunday's loss to the New York Mets. Soriano was placed on the15-day disabled list on Monday.


Zambrano (14-7, 3.42) takes the mound looking to become themajor leagues' first 15-game winner.


The big righthander, who is 4-0 in his last five starts, hasalso been excellent in his recent outings vs. the Astros.Zambrano has won four straight starts against Houston and is 5-0with a 0.51 ERA in his last seven games against them. The26-year-old is 10-5 in 21 career appearances against the Astros.

Zambrano has thrown 21 consecutive scoreless innings at MinuteMaid Park and is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in his last five outingshere.


The Astros counter with All-Star Roy Oswalt (11-6, 3.55), whohas won his last three starts. The righthander, who is 7-1 athome this season, was rocked the last time he faced the Cubs,giving up nine runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 9-3 losson July 14.


Oswalt has lost his last four starts vs. Chicago and is 10-10overall with a 4.14 ERA.

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS AT HOUSTON -- LINEUPS

CHICAGO CUBS HOUSTON
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Ryan Theriot SS .282 3 31 Craig Biggio 2B .245 7 39
Jacque Jones CF .247 2 33 Mike Lamb 3B .297 11 32
Derrek Lee 1B .323 12 59 Lance Berkman 1B .257 19 70
Aramis Ramirez 3B .313 16 69 Carlos Lee LF .303 24 92
Cliff Floyd RF .291 4 36 Luke Scott RF .249 13 46
Mark Derosa 2B .283 7 54 Jason Lane CF .168 7 21
Matt Murton LF .259 2 11 Eric Bruntlett SS .261 0 9
Koyie Hill C .153 2 12 Brad Ausmus C .234 2 20
Carlos Zambrano RHP .281 2 5 Roy Oswalt RHP .109 0 0
(14-7, 3.42) (11-6, 3.55)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON
WARMUPS: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO (14-7, 3.42)
HOU - ROY OSWALT (11-6, 3.55)

UMPIRES: HP - CHUCK MERIWETHER
1B - RICK REED
2B - ALFONSO MARQUEZ
3B - TIM TIMMONS

WEATHER: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS AT HOUSTON -- REVISED LINEUPS

CHICAGO CUBS HOUSTON
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Ryan Theriot SS .282 3 31 Craig Biggio 2B .245 7 39
Jacque Jones CF .247 2 33 Mike Lamb 3B .297 11 32
Derrek Lee 1B .323 12 59 Lance Berkman 1B .257 19 70
Cliff Floyd RF .291 4 36 Carlos Lee LF .303 24 92
Mark Derosa 3B .283 7 54 Luke Scott RF .249 13 46
Mike Fontenot 2B .305 3 24 Jason Lane CF .168 7 21
Matt Murton LF .259 2 11 Eric Bruntlett SS .261 0 9
Koyie Hill C .153 2 12 Brad Ausmus C .234 2 20
Carlos Zambrano RHP .281 2 5 Roy Oswalt RHP .109 0 0
(14-7, 3.42) (11-6, 3.55)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON
STARTING BATS: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO AND KOYIE HILL
HOU - ROY OSWALT AND BRAD AUSMUS

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: R THERIOT (.282, 3 HR, 31 RBI)
J JONES (.247, 2 HR, 33 RBI)
D LEE (.323, 12 HR, 59 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 (BOT 1)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO
HOU - ROY OSWALT

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C BIGGIO (.245, 7 HR, 39 RBI)
M LAMB (.297, 11 HR, 32 RBI)
L BERKMAN (.257, 19 HR, 70 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (0) VS HOUSTON (0) - MID 1ST - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281
J Jones cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .247
D Lee 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .323
C Floyd rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .290
M DeRosa 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283
M Fontenot 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .305
M Murton lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259
K Hill c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .153
C Zambrano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281

Totals 2 0 0 0 2 0 2

BATTING: GIDP - C Floyd. Team LOB - 1.


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .245
M Lamb 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .297
L Berkman 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .257
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
L Scott rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .168
E Bruntlett ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .234
R Oswalt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .109

Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Biggio-E Bruntlett-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 0 -- 0
HOUSTON - -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.42

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3.53

Pitches-strikes: R Oswalt 17-8. Ground balls-fly balls: R Oswalt 3-0. Batters
faced: R Oswalt 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Chuck Meriwether. 1B--Rick Reed. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Tim
Timmons.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON
CONFIRMED STARTERS: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO
HOU - ROY OSWALT</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 (TOP 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO
HOU - ROY OSWALT

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: M DEROSA (.283, 7 HR, 54 RBI)
M FONTENOT (.305, 3 HR, 24 RBI)
M MURTON (.259, 2 HR, 11 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (0) VS HOUSTON (0) - END 1ST - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281
J Jones cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .247
D Lee 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .323
C Floyd rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .290
M DeRosa 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283
M Fontenot 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .305
M Murton lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259
K Hill c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .153
C Zambrano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281

Totals 2 0 0 0 2 0 2

BATTING: GIDP - C Floyd. Team LOB - 1.


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244
M Lamb 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .295
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .256
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
L Scott rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .168
E Bruntlett ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .234
R Oswalt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .109

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Biggio-E Bruntlett-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 0 -- 0
HOUSTON - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.40

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3.53

Pitches-strikes: C Zambrano 9-6; R Oswalt 17-8. Ground balls-fly balls: C
Zambrano 0-2; R Oswalt 3-0. Batters faced: C Zambrano 3; R Oswalt 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Chuck Meriwether. 1B--Rick Reed. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Tim
Timmons.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 1 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 (BOT 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO
HOU - ROY OSWALT

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C LEE (.303, 24 HR, 92 RBI)
L SCOTT (.249, 13 HR, 46 RBI)
J LANE (.168, 7 HR, 21 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (0) VS HOUSTON (0) - MID 2ND - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281
J Jones cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .247
D Lee 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .323
C Floyd rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .290
M DeRosa 3b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .285
M Fontenot 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
M Murton lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .257
K Hill c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .151
C Zambrano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281

Totals 6 0 1 0 2 0 4

BATTING: 2B - M DeRosa (21, R Oswalt). GIDP - C Floyd. Team LOB - 2.


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244
M Lamb 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .295
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .256
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
L Scott rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
J Lane cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .168
E Bruntlett ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .234
R Oswalt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .109

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Biggio-E Bruntlett-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 00 -- 0
HOUSTON - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.40

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 3.51

Pitches-strikes: C Zambrano 9-6; R Oswalt 36-20. Ground balls-fly balls: C
Zambrano 0-2; R Oswalt 6-0. Batters faced: C Zambrano 3; R Oswalt 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Chuck Meriwether. 1B--Rick Reed. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Tim
Timmons.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 1 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 2 0 (TOP 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO
HOU - ROY OSWALT

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: C ZAMBRANO (.281, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
R THERIOT (.281, 0-FOR-1)
J JONES (.247, 0-FOR-0, BB)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (0) VS HOUSTON (0) - END 2ND - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281
J Jones cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .247
D Lee 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .323
C Floyd rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .290
M DeRosa 3b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .285
M Fontenot 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
M Murton lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .257
K Hill c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .151
C Zambrano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281

Totals 6 0 1 0 2 0 4

BATTING: 2B - M DeRosa (21, R Oswalt). GIDP - C Floyd. Team LOB - 2.


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244
M Lamb 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .295
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .256
C Lee lf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .305
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .248
J Lane cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .167
E Bruntlett ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .269
B Ausmus c 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .233
R Oswalt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .109

Totals 8 0 2 0 0 4 4

BATTING: 2B - C Lee (32, C Zambrano). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
B Ausmus 1. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Biggio-E Bruntlett-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 00 -- 0
HOUSTON - 00 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano 2 2 0 0 0 4 0 3.37

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 3.51

Pitches-strikes: C Zambrano 31-19; R Oswalt 36-20. Ground balls-fly balls: C
Zambrano 0-2; R Oswalt 6-0. Batters faced: C Zambrano 8; R Oswalt 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Chuck Meriwether. 1B--Rick Reed. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Tim
Timmons.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 0 2 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 2 0 (BOT 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO
HOU - ROY OSWALT

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: R OSWALT (.109, 0 HR, 0 RBI)
C BIGGIO (.244, 0-FOR-1)
M LAMB (.295, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (0) VS HOUSTON (0) - MID 3RD - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .283
J Jones cf 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 .247
D Lee 1b 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 .323
C Floyd rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 .288
M DeRosa 3b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .285
M Fontenot 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
M Murton lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .257
K Hill c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .151
C Zambrano p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .276

Totals 10 0 2 0 3 1 7

BATTING: 2B - M DeRosa (21, R Oswalt). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- C Floyd 1. GIDP - C Floyd. Team LOB - 4.


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244
M Lamb 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .295
L Berkman 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .256
C Lee lf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .305
L Scott rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .248
J Lane cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .167
E Bruntlett ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .269
B Ausmus c 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .233
R Oswalt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .109

Totals 8 0 2 0 0 4 4

BATTING: 2B - C Lee (32, C Zambrano). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
B Ausmus 1. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Biggio-E Bruntlett-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 000 -- 0
HOUSTON - 00 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano 2 2 0 0 0 4 0 3.37

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 3 2 0 0 3 1 0 3.49

Pitches-strikes: C Zambrano 31-19; R Oswalt 55-31. Ground balls-fly balls: C
Zambrano 0-2; R Oswalt 6-2. Batters faced: C Zambrano 8; R Oswalt 13.

UMPIRES: HP--Chuck Meriwether. 1B--Rick Reed. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Tim
Timmons.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY CRAIG BIGGIO (8) TO LEFT WITH 1 OUT IN THE
3RD OFF CARLOS ZAMBRANO.
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 0, HOUSTON 1

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M LAMB (.295, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
TRIPLE BY LUKE SCOTT SCORED LANCE BERKMAN AND CARLOS LEE.

SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, L SCOTT ON THIRD, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 0
HOUSTON 3 BOTTOM, 3RD

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: J LANE (.167, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 0 2 0
HOUSTON 0 0 3 3 5 0 (TOP 4)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO
HOU - ROY OSWALT

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: M DEROSA (.285, 1-FOR-1)
M FONTENOT (.303, 0-FOR-1)
M MURTON (.257, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (0) VS HOUSTON (3) - END 3RD - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .283
J Jones cf 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 .247
D Lee 1b 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 .323
C Floyd rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 .288
M DeRosa 3b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .285
M Fontenot 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
M Murton lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .257
K Hill c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .151
C Zambrano p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .276

Totals 10 0 2 0 3 1 7

BATTING: 2B - M DeRosa (21, R Oswalt). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- C Floyd 1. GIDP - C Floyd. Team LOB - 4.


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 .246
M Lamb 3b 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
L Berkman 1b 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 .256
C Lee lf 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 .306
L Scott rf 2 0 1 2 0 1 1 .251
J Lane cf 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .165
E Bruntlett ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .269
B Ausmus c 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .233
R Oswalt p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .106

Totals 14 3 5 3 1 4 5

BATTING: 2B - C Lee (32, C Zambrano). 3B - L Scott (3, C Zambrano). HR - C
Biggio (8, 3rd inning off C Zambrano 0 on, 1 Out). RBI - C Biggio (40), L Scott
2 (48). 2-out RBI - L Scott 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Lane
1, B Ausmus 1. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Biggio-E Bruntlett-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 000 -- 0
HOUSTON - 003 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano 3 5 3 3 1 4 1 3.52

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
R Oswalt 3 2 0 0 3 1 0 3.49

Pitches-strikes: C Zambrano 66-40; R Oswalt 55-31. Ground balls-fly balls: C
Zambrano 2-3; R Oswalt 6-2. Batters faced: C Zambrano 15; R Oswalt 13.

UMPIRES: HP--Chuck Meriwether. 1B--Rick Reed. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Tim
Timmons.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>