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Rockies-Cubs Preview

May 18, 2010 - 5:38 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Colorado (19-18) at Chicago (16-22), 8:05 p.m. EDT

Despite his team's slow start, Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry gave manager Lou Piniella a vote of confidence before a two-game home series with the Colorado Rockies.

For one night at least, that confidence appeared well-placed.

After taking the series opener in dramatic fashion, the Cubs will aim for a third straight win overall and help starter Carlos Silva improve to 5-0 on Tuesday night against the Rockies.

Chicago made the playoffs in each of Piniella's first two years, but didn't seriously contend in 2009, finishing 83-78. The Cubs' subsequent 17-22 start in the final year of Piniella's contract prompted speculation he could be fired before the end of this season.

Hendry responded Monday by saying he hadn't "given any thought to replacing Lou Piniella," and that he was "absolutely, completely confident" in his manager and coaching staff.

The Cubs (17-22) won back-to-back games for only the fourth time this season when Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer off Matt Belisle in the 11th inning Monday night to clinch a 4-2 win. It was the first home run since April 15 for Ramirez, who is batting .175.

The outcome was very nearly different after Chicago's beleaguered bullpen failed to hold a one-run lead. John Grabow gave up two walks and a single to three of the first four batters he faced in the eighth. Closer Carlos Marmol replaced Grabow, but issued another free pass to Miguel Olivo to tie the game.

Silva (4-0, 3.40 ERA) will get the ball seeking to build on a strong outing. After giving up nine runs in his previous two outings, the right-hander allowed two runs and seven hits over 6 1-3 innings of a 4-3 home win against Florida last Wednesday.

Acquired from Seattle in the offseason Milton Bradley trade, Silva hasn't won his first five decisions in a season since 2004 with Minnesota, and has never started against the Rockies.

"I feel good, not only because I'm 4-0. I feel good because I feel like I am somebody right now," Silva said. "My first year with Seattle was very tough, and last year I lost confidence. This year ... (the Cubs) were like, 'We're so happy you're here.' That gave me confidence, made me feel they were counting on me."

After being denied a season-high fourth straight win, the Rockies (19-19), losers in 10 of 11 at Wrigley Field, will counter with rookie Jhoulys Chacin (2-1, 2.66), who will try to bounce back from his first poor start of the season.

The 22-year-old right-hander allowed six runs in five innings of Thursday's 14-6 home defeat to Washington.

"Young kids that become very good pitchers bounce back from things like that, so that's the interesting sequel that we'll wait to see here in about five days," manager Jim Tracy said.

Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is batting .327 with 11 RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak. He may have trouble extending it, as left-handed hitters are batting .173 against Silva this season.