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Zambrano third in NL to 10 wins as Cubs down Nationals

Jul 4, 2007 - 4:15 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Carlos Zambrano is serving notice he would like to be the National League's final All-Star.

Zambrano struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings as the Chicago Cubs posted a 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.

Two days away from finding out whether the fans will vote him in to the final NL All-Star spot, Zambrano (10-6) has been making a very strong case for his candidacy, including this contest as he yielded one run and three hits.

"Ten wins...I am surprised he's not (already) on the team," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "I think his 10th win here speaks volumes for making it."

Since June 6, the righthander is 5-1 with a 1.42 ERA, with his only loss coming in a contest in which he carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning.

His last seven starts are in direct contrast to his first 12, where the two-time All-Star selection was 5-5 with a 5.63 ERA. After yielding just two or fewer runs in just four of his 12 outings through June 1, Zambrano has kept each of his last six opponents at or below that mark.

"There's some guys in the competition that have better numbers than me, speaking of ERA," Zambrano said. "I just have more wins than they have." Zambrano said he's voted for himself on the internet the maximum 25 times.

"That's all I can do," Zambrano said. "I'm not going to cheat myself."

While he would enjoy the All-Star Game, he remains philosophical about his chances.

"Whatever happens, happens," Zambrano said. "If I don't go to the All-Star Game, I go to Venezuela and enjoy my time with my family. If I go (to the All-Star Game), I'd enjoy it with my family also."

Carlos Marmol and Will Ohman got five outs before closer Bobby Howry retired the last two for his third save in seven chances.

Alfonso Soriano, who made an All-Star appearance in 2006 in his only season as a National, had two hits and scored twice for the Cubs, who have won 10 of their last 11 games and moved to two games over .500 (42-40) for the first time since May 3, 2006. Cliff Floyd stroked a two-out, two-run single in the third to give Chicago all the runs it would need.

Floyd has just 158 at-bats this season, and he knows he has to make the most of his chances. "Those at-bats are important at-bats," Floyd said. "When I get up there, I have to capitalize.

"You just don't play because your name is in the lineup. I don't hit sixth or seventh. I hit fourth or fifth a lot. We've got guys in the top of the order on this team that get on base. When you capitalize, you play. If you want to play on this team, you have to do something."

Nationals starter Tim Redding (0-1), who made his first start since July 15, 2005, went five frames, surrendering three runs and five hits with two walks and a strikeout.

"I was able to calm down after the first run scored," Redding said. "It was exciting to get back up here. I'm just looking forward to getting another shot and I'll build on this."

Ronnie Belliard tallied an RBI for the Nationals, who have lost seven of their last eight games and dropped all five meetings this season against the Cubs.