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Cubs look to improve on disappointing April

May 1, 2007 - 3:04 PM Chicago Cubs (10-14) at Pittsburgh (12-12) 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- As the calendar changes, the Chicago Cubs hope for a new beginning.

The Cubs try to put a disappointing April behind them when they open May against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

Chicago, which has had just one winning month since last May, is tied for the second-fewest wins in the National League after losing Monday's series opener, 3-2. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Cubs, who slipped to 0-6 in one-run games.

Derrek Lee hit just one home run in April, but closed April with a nine-game hitting streak. He is hitting .415 (17-for-41) during the streak.

The Cubs will send Ted Lilly (2-2, 2.18 ERA) to the mound. The lefthander gave up two runs and six hits in seven innings of a 9-3 win over Milwaukee last Wednesday, his first victory since defeating Cincinnati in his April 4 season debut.

Lilly made his major league debut against the Pirates but has not faced them since 1999, his first major league season. In two relief appearances against them with Montreal, he allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Pittsburgh, which has won five of seven contests, will counter with Tony Armas (0-2, 11.57). Armas gave up just one run and six hits in five innings of a 5-3 victory over Houston last Thursday at PNC Park, but did not factor in the decision.

The righthander is 3-5 with a 4.19 ERA in 10 career starts against Chicago, but has won his last two starts versus the Cubs, giving up three runs in those contests.