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Red-hot Zambrano gets back-to-back starts

Jul 13, 2007 - 1:33 PM Houston (39-50) at Chicago Cubs (44-43) 2:20 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Carlos Zambrano gets his second consecutive start as the Chicago Cubs host the Houston Astros in the opener of a three-game series Friday.

Zambrano (10-7, 4.03 ERA) has been one of the best pitchers in the major leagues since his dugout altercation with former teammate Michael Barrett, who is now a member of the San Diego Padres.

The 26-year-old righthander has posted a 5-2 record with a 1.75 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings over his previous seven starts.

Zambrano did absorb a loss in his last start on Sunday, allowing three runs and four hits with five strikeouts in seven innings of Chicago's a 6-2 setback at the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He will be opposed by Jason Jennings (1-4, 4.07), who is winless in his last three starts. The 28-year-old righthander is 0-3 with a 4.95 ERA in that span.

Jennings allowed five runs and nine hits with three walks and four strikeouts over six innings in a 6-2 loss to the New York Mets on July 5.

The Astros have lost three of their last five contests.

Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano, who blasted a two-run homer in the ninth inning of Tuesday's All-Star Game, is on a seven-game hitting streak but is homerless in his last 13 contests.