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Marquis pitches first home game for Cubs

Apr 10, 2007 - 2:05 PM Houston (2-5) at Chicago Cubs (3-4) 2:20 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Ted Lilly had a rough first start at Wrigley Field as a member of the Chicago Cubs. Jason Marquis is hoping for a better result.

Marquis makes his first home start since signing with the Cubs on Tuesday afternoon against the Houston Astros.

Lilly allowed three runs in six innings as the Cubs lost their home opener to Houston, 5-3, on Monday.

Marquis (0-0, 1.50 ERA) signed a three-year, $21 million contract with Chicago in the offseason. He was sharp in his Cubs debut, allowing one run in six innings last Thursday at Cincinnati.

Marquis has had moderate success against the Astros in his career, posting a 7-4 record with a 4.89 ERA in 19 games - 14 starts. Houston slugger Lance Berkman has pounded Marquis in his career, going 16-for-28 with 10 RBI.

The Astros will counter with righthander Chris Sampson (0-0, 0.00), who earned the fifth spot in the rotation with a strong spring. Sampson has started just three games in his career, but stymied the Cubs last season, surrendering just three hits in seven shutout innings on June 7.

Because Houston did not need a fifth starter until Tuesday, the 28-year-old righthander came out of the bullpen and pitched three shutout innings last Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

Alfonso Soriano, who signed an eight-year, $136 million deal with the Cubs in the offseason, stole his first base in Monday's loss. Left fielder Cliff Floyd, another free agent addition, went 0-for-4 with five left on base.