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Streaking Cubs look to continue winning ways

Jul 3, 2007 - 1:45 PM Chicago Cubs (41-40) at Washington (33-49) 7:05 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The surging Chicago Cubs will play the second game of a four-game set against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.

The Cubs have won nine of their last 10 games and moved past .500 for the first time since they were 16-15 on May 9.

Since sporting a 22-31 record on June 2, Chicago has surged to a 19-9 record in the 28 games since. With a win on Tuesday, they will go two games over .500 for the first time since May 3, 2006.

Carlos Zambrano (9-6, 4.20 ERA) has been lights out since June 1, going 4-1 with a 1.43 ERA. His only loss was a 1-0 setback against the San Diego Padres, in which he lost a no-hitter in the eighth inning.

One of his wins during the recent stretch was on Wednesday, when he gave up two runs and five hits over six innings of a 6-4 victory over the Rockies.

The Nationals counter with Tim Redding (NR), who makes his first major league appearance since July 15, 2005. He is taking the rotation spot of Micah Bowie, who went to the disabled list on Monday because of a hip injury.

A five-year veteran, Redding has not faced the Cubs since 2004. In 11 lifetime appearances, including seven starts against Chicago, he is 2-4 with a 3.44 ERA. Redding will become the 10th starter and 20th pitcher used by Washington this year.