GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: HOUSTON (26-36) at CHICAGO CUBS (27-34)

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (1) VS CHICAGO CUBS (2) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .219
H Pence cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .358
L Berkman rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .251
C Lee lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .298
M Loretta 3b 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .309
M Lamb 1b 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .260
A Everett ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .230
a-L Scott ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .256
M Ensberg pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .223
B Ausmus c 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .244
W Williams p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .138
b-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .213

Totals 25 1 3 0 1 8 7

a-singled to center for A Everett in the 8th; b-struck out looking for W
Williams in the 8th.

BATTING: S - W Williams. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Everett 1,
H Pence 1. GIDP - C Lee. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 2 (M Lamb, W Williams-A Everett-M Lamb).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .312
F Pie cf 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .264
D Lee 1b 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 .329
J Jones rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .230
M DeRosa 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .264
M Fontenot 2b 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 .462
R Theriot ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .274
K Hill c 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .071
C Zambrano p 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 .310

Totals 23 2 4 2 2 5 5

BATTING: 2B - M Fontenot (2, W Williams). HR - C Zambrano (2, 3rd inning off W
Williams 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - R Theriot (20), C Zambrano (4). 2-out RBI - R
Theriot. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Jones 1. GIDP - R Theriot.
Team LOB - 2.

BASERUNNING: SB - F Pie (4, 2nd base off W Williams/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: E - M Fontenot (1, throw). DP: 1 (R Theriot-M Fontenot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 000 01 -- 1
CHICAGO CUBS - 011 000 0 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Williams 7 4 2 2 2 5 1 5.51

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano 8 3 1 1 1 8 0 4.99

HBP - M Loretta (by C Zambrano). Pitches-strikes: W Williams 89-55; C
Zambrano 128-79. Ground balls-fly balls: W Williams 6-9; C Zambrano 9-7.
Batters faced: W Williams 25; C Zambrano 28.

UMPIRES: HP--Fieldin Culbreth. 1B--Paul Schrieber. 2B--Marty Foster. 3B--Tim
Mcclelland.

Weather: 73 degrees, clear. Wind: 10 mph, in from right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Loretta at shortstop.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
CHICAGO CUBS 2 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: K Hill (.071, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Ensberg at third base.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
CHICAGO CUBS 2 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: K Hill (.071, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - PITCHING CHANGE
HOU: DAN WHEELER (0-3, 5.40) STARTING THE 8TH
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 2

DUE UP FOR CHCUBS: K HILL (.071, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: D Wheeler relieved W Williams.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
CHICAGO CUBS 2 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: K Hill (.071, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: A Pagan hit for C Zambrano.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
CHICAGO CUBS 2 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: A Pagan (.300, 2 HR, 5 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - DAN WHEELER
CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO (OUT)

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: H PENCE (.358, 0-FOR-3)
L BERKMAN (.251, 1-FOR-3)
C LEE (.298, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (1) VS CHICAGO CUBS (2) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .219
H Pence cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .358
L Berkman rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .251
C Lee lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .298
M Loretta 3b-ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .309
M Lamb 1b 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .260
A Everett ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .230
a-L Scott ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .256
M Ensberg pr-3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .223
B Ausmus c 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .244
W Williams p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .138
b-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .213
D Wheeler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 25 1 3 0 1 8 7

a-singled to center for A Everett in the 8th; b-struck out looking for W
Williams in the 8th.

BATTING: S - W Williams. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Everett 1,
H Pence 1. GIDP - C Lee. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 2 (M Lamb, W Williams-A Everett-M Lamb).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
F Pie cf 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .264
D Lee 1b 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 .329
J Jones rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .230
M DeRosa 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .264
M Fontenot 2b 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 .462
R Theriot ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .274
K Hill c 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .067
C Zambrano p 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 .310
a-A Pagan ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294

Totals 26 2 4 2 2 5 5

a-flied out to center for C Zambrano in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Fontenot (2, W Williams). HR - C Zambrano (2, 3rd inning off W
Williams 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - R Theriot (20), C Zambrano (4). 2-out RBI - R
Theriot. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Jones 1. GIDP - R Theriot.
Team LOB - 2.

BASERUNNING: SB - F Pie (4, 2nd base off W Williams/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: E - M Fontenot (1, throw). DP: 1 (R Theriot-M Fontenot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 000 01 -- 1
CHICAGO CUBS - 011 000 00 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Williams 7 4 2 2 2 5 1 5.51
D Wheeler 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.22

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano 8 3 1 1 1 8 0 4.99

HBP - M Loretta (by C Zambrano). Pitches-strikes: W Williams 89-55; D Wheeler
9-6; C Zambrano 128-79. Ground balls-fly balls: W Williams 6-9; D Wheeler 0-3;
C Zambrano 9-7. Batters faced: W Williams 25; D Wheeler 3; C Zambrano 28.

UMPIRES: HP--Fieldin Culbreth. 1B--Paul Schrieber. 2B--Marty Foster. 3B--Tim
Mcclelland.

Weather: 73 degrees, clear. Wind: 10 mph, in from right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - PITCHING CHANGE
CHN: RYAN DEMPSTER (1-3, 4.08) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 2

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: H PENCE (.358, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Dempster relieved C Zambrano.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
CHICAGO CUBS 2 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: H Pence (.358, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

Zambrano's arm, bat all Cubs need in win over Astros

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 2, HOUSTON 1</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- It was apparent after his last outing thatCarlos Zambrano benefited from having a different catcher behindthe plate. Apparently, it is helping him in the batter's boxas well.

Zambrano homered and struck out eight over eight innings as theChicago Cubs downed the Houston Astros, 2-1, on Monday.

Since his well-publicized scuffle with catcher Michael Barrettin the dugout and clubhouse on June 1, Zambrano (7-5) has workedwith backup catcher Koyie Hill and it has produced dramaticresults.

After entering Wednesday's start with a 5.62 ERA, the fieryrighthander has been lights out, striking out 17 over his last14 2/3 innings and allowing three runs in the process to lowerhis ERA to 4.99.

With Chicago leading, 1-0, in the third, the pitcher gavehimself all the cushion he would need. Zambrano put a chargeinto a high outside fastball from Houston starter Woody Williams(2-9) over the fence in left for a solo homer - the 12th of hiscareer - that pushed him into third place on the team's listfor home runs hit by a pitcher.

The 26-year-old ace surrendered just one run with a walk as hewas able to string together consecutive quality starts for thefirst time this season. Closer Ryan Dempster worked around awalk in the ninth for his 13th save in 15 chances.

Ryan Theriot had an RBI and Mike Fontenot had two hits for theCubs, who have won two straight at Wrigley Field following asix-game skid at home.

Williams was the hard-luck loser, allowing a season-low fourhits and tying season bests by lasting seven frames and yieldingjust two runs. He also walked two with five strikeouts.

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
HOUSTON 1
CHICAGO CUBS 2 FINAL</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (1) AT CHICAGO CUBS (2) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: J Jones struck out swinging. M DeRosa flied out to left.
M Fontenot doubled to deep left center. R Theriot singled to right,
M Fontenot scored. K Hill grounded out to first. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: C Zambrano homered to left. A Soriano popped out to
shortstop. F Pie walked. D Lee struck out swinging. F Pie stole second.
J Jones flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

HOUSTON 8TH: M Lamb walked. L Scott hit for A Everett. L Scott singled to
center, M Lamb to second. M Ensberg ran for L Scott. B Ausmus grounded into
fielder's choice to third, M Ensberg out at second, M Lamb to third, M Lamb
scored on throwing error by second baseman M Fontenot. O Palmeiro hit for
W Williams. O Palmeiro struck out looking. C Biggio flied out to left. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 1 Error) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 2.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (1) VS CHICAGO CUBS (2) - FINAL

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .219
H Pence cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .356
L Berkman rf 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .251
C Lee lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .297
M Loretta 3b-ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .309
M Lamb 1b 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .260
A Everett ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .230
a-L Scott ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .256
M Ensberg pr-3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .223
B Ausmus c 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .244
W Williams p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .138
b-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .213
D Wheeler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 27 1 3 0 2 8 8

a-singled to shallow center for A Everett in the 8th; b-struck out looking for
W Williams in the 8th.

BATTING: S - W Williams. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Everett 1,
H Pence 1. GIDP - C Lee 2. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 2 (M Lamb, W Williams-A Everett-M Lamb).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
F Pie cf 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .264
D Lee 1b 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 .329
J Jones rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .230
M DeRosa 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .264
M Fontenot 2b 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 .462
R Theriot ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .274
K Hill c 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .067
C Zambrano p 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 .310
a-A Pagan ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 26 2 4 2 2 5 5

a-flied out to center for C Zambrano in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Fontenot (2, W Williams). HR - C Zambrano (2, 3rd inning off W
Williams 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - R Theriot (20), C Zambrano (4). 2-out RBI - R
Theriot. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Jones 1. GIDP - R Theriot.
Team LOB - 2.

BASERUNNING: SB - F Pie (4, 2nd base off W Williams/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: E - M Fontenot (1, throw). DP: 2 (R Theriot-M Fontenot-D Lee, R
Theriot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 000 010 -- 1
CHICAGO CUBS - 011 000 00x -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Williams (L, 2-9) 7 4 2 2 2 5 1 5.51
D Wheeler 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.22

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano (W, 7-5) 8 3 1 0 1 8 0 4.89
R Dempster (S, 13) 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.94

HBP - M Loretta (by C Zambrano). Pitches-strikes: W Williams 89-55; D Wheeler
9-6; C Zambrano 128-79; R Dempster 9-4. Ground balls-fly balls: W Williams 6-9;
D Wheeler 0-3; C Zambrano 9-7; R Dempster 2-1. Batters faced: W Williams 25; D
Wheeler 3; C Zambrano 28; R Dempster 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Fieldin Culbreth. 1B--Paul Schrieber. 2B--Marty Foster. 3B--Tim
Mcclelland.

T--2:05. Att--37,947.
Weather: 75 degrees, clear. Wind: 11 mph, in from
right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (1) VS CHICAGO CUBS (2) - FINAL

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .219
H Pence cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .356
L Berkman rf 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .251
C Lee lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .297
M Loretta 3b-ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .309
M Lamb 1b 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .260
A Everett ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .230
a-L Scott ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .256
M Ensberg pr-3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .223
B Ausmus c 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .244
W Williams p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .138
b-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .213
D Wheeler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 27 1 3 0 2 8 8

a-singled to shallow center for A Everett in the 8th; b-struck out looking for
W Williams in the 8th.

BATTING: S - W Williams. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Everett 1,
H Pence 1. GIDP - C Lee 2. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 2 (M Lamb, W Williams-A Everett-M Lamb).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
F Pie cf 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .264
D Lee 1b 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 .329
J Jones rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .230
M DeRosa 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .264
M Fontenot 2b 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 .462
R Theriot ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .274
K Hill c 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .067
C Zambrano p 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 .310
a-A Pagan ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 26 2 4 2 2 5 5

a-flied out to center for C Zambrano in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Fontenot (2, W Williams). HR - C Zambrano (2, 3rd inning off W
Williams 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - R Theriot (20), C Zambrano (4). 2-out RBI - R
Theriot. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Jones 1. GIDP - R Theriot.
Team LOB - 2.

BASERUNNING: SB - F Pie (4, 2nd base off W Williams/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: E - M Fontenot (1, throw). DP: 2 (R Theriot-M Fontenot-D Lee, R
Theriot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 000 000 010 -- 1
CHICAGO CUBS - 011 000 00x -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Williams (L, 2-9) 7 4 2 2 2 5 1 5.51
D Wheeler 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.22

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano (W, 7-5) 8 3 1 0 1 8 0 4.89
R Dempster (S, 13) 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.94

HBP - M Loretta (by C Zambrano). Pitches-strikes: W Williams 89-55; D Wheeler
9-6; C Zambrano 128-79; R Dempster 9-4. Ground balls-fly balls: W Williams 6-9;
D Wheeler 0-3; C Zambrano 9-7; R Dempster 2-1. Batters faced: W Williams 25; D
Wheeler 3; C Zambrano 28; R Dempster 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Fieldin Culbreth. 1B--Paul Schrieber. 2B--Marty Foster. 3B--Tim
Mcclelland.

T--2:05. Att--37,947.
Weather: 75 degrees, clear. Wind: 11 mph, in from
right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (1) AT CHICAGO CUBS (2) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Biggio 2B, H Pence CF, L Berkman RF, C Lee LF,
M Loretta 3B, M Lamb 1B, A Everett SS, B Ausmus C, W Williams RHP.

Chicago Cubs Starting Lineups -- A Soriano LF, F Pie CF, D Lee 1B, J Jones RF,
M DeRosa 3B, M Fontenot 2B, R Theriot SS, K Hill C, C Zambrano RHP.

Umpires -- Fieldin Culbreth (HP), Paul Schrieber (1B), Marty Foster (2B),
Tim Mcclelland (3B).

Gametime Weather: 75 degrees, Clear, wind in from right at 11 mph.


HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio struck out swinging. H Pence flied out to right.
L Berkman grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano popped out to shortstop. F Pie popped out to
first. D Lee struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: C Lee flied out to center. M Loretta hit by pitch. M Lamb
grounded out to second, M Loretta to second. A Everett struck out looking.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: J Jones struck out swinging. M DeRosa flied out to left.
M Fontenot doubled to left center. R Theriot singled to right, M Fontenot
scored. K Hill grounded out to first. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

HOUSTON 3RD: B Ausmus singled to center. W Williams sacrificed to pitcher,
B Ausmus to second. C Biggio struck out looking. H Pence struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: C Zambrano homered to left. A Soriano popped out to
shortstop. F Pie walked. D Lee struck out swinging. F Pie stole second.
J Jones flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

HOUSTON 4TH: L Berkman grounded out to second. C Lee struck out swinging.
M Loretta struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: M DeRosa grounded out to shortstop. M Fontenot struck
out swinging. R Theriot grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

HOUSTON 5TH: M Lamb grounded out to shortstop. A Everett flied out to
center. B Ausmus grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: K Hill grounded out to second. C Zambrano struck out
looking. A Soriano flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 2.

HOUSTON 6TH: W Williams struck out looking. C Biggio popped out to second.
H Pence flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: F Pie flied out to left. D Lee walked. J Jones lined
into double play, to first, D Lee doubled off first.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

HOUSTON 7TH: L Berkman singled to center. C Lee grounded into double play,
shortstop to second to first, L Berkman out at second. M Loretta flied out to
right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: M DeRosa flied out to center. M Fontenot singled to
right. R Theriot grounded into double play, pitcher to shortstop to first,
M Fontenot out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

HOUSTON 8TH: M Lamb walked. L Scott hit for A Everett. L Scott singled to
shallow center, M Lamb to second. M Ensberg ran for L Scott. B Ausmus grounded
into fielder's choice to third, M Ensberg out at second, M Lamb to third, M
Lamb scored on throwing error by second baseman M Fontenot. O Palmeiro hit for
W Williams. O Palmeiro struck out looking. C Biggio flied out to left. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 1 Error) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: M Loretta at shortstop. M Ensberg at third base.
D Wheeler relieved W Williams. K Hill fouled out to left. A Pagan hit for
C Zambrano. A Pagan flied out to center. A Soriano flied out to right. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

HOUSTON 9TH: R Dempster relieved C Zambrano. H Pence flied out to center.
L Berkman walked. C Lee grounded into double play, shortstop to first,
L Berkman out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 2.</div>

 

Zambrano's arm, bat all Cubs need in win over Astros

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 2, HOUSTON 1</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- It was apparent after his last outing thatCarlos Zambrano benefited from having a different catcher behindthe plate. Apparently, it is helping him in the batter's boxas well.

Zambrano homered and struck out eight over eight innings as theChicago Cubs downed the Houston Astros, 2-1, on Monday.

Since his well-publicized scuffle with catcher Michael Barrettin the dugout and clubhouse on June 1, Zambrano (7-5) has workedwith backup catcher Koyie Hill and it has produced dramaticresults.

"Since I declared a new season in Milwaukee (June 6), I am 2-0and I feel good," Zambrano said. "I am glad that I could helpmy team win this game. Big Z (Zambrano) is back on track."

After entering Wednesday's start with a 5.62 ERA, the fieryrighthander has been lights out, striking out 17 over his last14 2/3 innings and allowing three runs in the process to lowerhis ERA to 4.99.

"I looked up at the pitch speed display and saw 96s and 97s,"Hill said. "I don't know what Carlos topped out at but hereally threw the ball today. He knew where he was at all timestoday and threw strikes right through the strike zone. He mademy job very easy."

With Chicago leading, 1-0, in the third, the pitcher gavehimself all the cushion he would need. Zambrano put a chargeinto a high outside fastball from Houston starter Woody Williams(2-9) over the fence in left for a solo homer - the 12th of hiscareer - that pushed him into sole possession of third place onthe team's all-time list for home runs hit by a pitcher.

"I just got lucky on the home run," Zambrano said. "I was notlooking to hit a home run there, he (Williams) just left thepitch up."

The 26-year-old ace surrendered just one run with a walk as hewas able to string together consecutive quality starts for thefirst time this season. Closer Ryan Dempster worked around awalk in the ninth for his 13th save in 15 chances.

"Carlos really threw the ball great," Cubs manager Lou Piniellasaid. "He hit the ball pretty good, too. I think he is gettingon a roll. In the ninth, I wanted to get Dempster back outthere and let him get yesterday behind him. I think herebounded very well."

Ryan Theriot had an RBI and Mike Fontenot had two hits for theCubs, who have won two straight at Wrigley Field following asix-game skid at home.

Williams was the hard-luck loser, allowing a season-low fourhits and tying season bests by lasting seven frames and yieldingjust two runs. He also walked two with five strikeouts.

"It seems like a lot of things are just out of my control thisyear," Williams said. "I don't feel like I have pitched thatpoorly but I sit here 2-9. Things have to change at somepoint."

Astros manager Phil Garner did not fault his hitters on a nightthey seemed overmatched by Zambrano.

"Zambrano was tough tonight," Garner said. "It's hard to get apattern on him because he doesn't always throw the ball where hewants to. But you still have to swing the bat sometime."