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Garza makes Cubs debut in finale with Bucs

Apr 3, 2011 - 3:01 PM (Sports Network) - Matt Garza makes his Chicago debut this afternoon when the Cubs conclude their season-opening three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

Garza was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays this past offseason as part of their fire sale. He was 15-10 with a 3.91 earned-run average in 33 games for the Rays last season, including a no-hitter on July 26.

The 27-year-old right-hander, who was 1-4 this spring with a 10.38 ERA, will not only be making his first-ever start against the Pirates this afternoon, but he will be pitching for the first time in Wrigley as well.

"I'll stand on the mound and if I'm falling forward, it's blowing in," Garza said. "And if I'm falling back, it's blowing out. I don't need to look at the flags."

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will counter with right-hander Ross Ohlendorf, who was just 1-11 last year. Things haven't gotten any better this spring, as Ohlendorf was 0-5 in six starts with a 9.82 ERA.

"I feel really good with where I am right now," Ohlendorf said. "[Pitching coach Ray Searage] and I worked on some things the last week or so that I think are really going to help. Also, my arm feels good, and that's very important at this point."

Ohlendorf's lone win last season came against the Cubs and he has pitched to a 1.35 ERA against them in three starts.

After losing their season-opener the Cubs rebounded on Saturday, as pinch- hitter Blake DeWitt capped a five-run eighth inning with a two-run double, helping Chicago to a 5-3 win.

Carlos Zambrano went six-plus innings in the start, allowing three runs on five hits. He also had four strikeouts and three walks before leaving in the seventh with cramping in his right hand.

"I thought he threw the ball well. He did a good job," Cubs manager Mike Quade said of Zambrano. "I thought he handled himself well."

Sean Marshall (1-0) tossed a perfect eighth to pick up the win, while Carlos Marmol struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his first save of the season.

Garrett Jones hit a solo homer for the Pirates, who wasted a superb outing from starter Paul Maholm.

Maholm pitched 6 2/3 scoreless frames and gave up five hits to go with three strikeouts and two walks. Evan Meek (0-1), though, could not hold the lead and was charged with the loss after allowing three runs in just two-thirds of an inning.

Pittsburgh won 10 of its 15 games versus Chicago last year, taking five of nine in the Windy City. The Pirates won just four road series all of last season. Two of them, though, came in Chicago.