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Zambrano on mound for Cubs on Sunday

Aug 19, 2007 - 1:55 PM St Louis (58-62) at Chicago Cubs (63-59) 8:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Carlos Zambrano makes his first start since signing a lucrative contract when he takes the mound for the Chicago Cubs against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

On Friday, the Cubs locked up their ace, signing Zambrano to a five-year, $90 million contract.

Zambrano (14-9, 3.86 ERA) has lost his last two starts, allowing 13 runs and 21 hits over 12 2/3 innings. It marks the first time the righthander has lost back-to-back starts since August 4 and August 9, 2006.

Zambrano is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in two starts this season against the Cardinals. For his career, he is 7-4 with a 2.45 ERA in 18 starts against St. Louis.

Two home runs by the Cubs have lifted them to wins over the Cardinals in the first two games of this four-game series. On Friday, Jacque Jones hit a two-run homer to lead the Cubs to a 2-1 victory. Daryle Ward connected for a grand slam in the third inning Saturday, powering the Cubs to a 5-3 triumph.

Chicago, which has won three straight overall following a four-game losing streak, is one-half game ahead of Milwaukee (63-60) for first place in the National League Central.

St. Louis will counter with Kip Wells (6-13, 5.24), who faced Zambrano on July 24 in his only start against the Cubs this season. Wells allowed three runs - two earned - and eight hits over 6 2/3 innings en route to a 4-3 loss.

Wells is 3-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 15 career starts against the Cubs.

St. Louis is four games back of Chicago in the Central.