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Johnson hopes to remain perfect vs. Cubs

May 11, 2008 - 2:19 PM Arizona (23-14) at Chicago Cubs (21-15) 2:20 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- While Carlos Zambrano is dominating the National League so far this season, he has a long way to go to match Randy Johnson's success against the Chicago Cubs.

The Arizona Diamondbacks hope to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Cubs when the teams complete their three-game series on Sunday.

Zambrano (5-1, 1.80 ERA) ranks third in the NL in ERA in 2008, due in large part to his ability to limit the number of walks he has traditionally allowed. After back-to-back season of 100-plus walks, the righthander has surrendered just 14 free passes through eight starts and is on pace for a career-low 60.

He was on top of his game once again in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds when he yielded just three hits and three walks over eight innings, extending his unbeaten streak to five games.

In seven of his eight turns this season, the righthander has yielded two runs or less, pitching into the seventh inning each time.

However, that success pales in comparison to the complete domination Randy Johnson (2-1, 5.06) has enjoyed in his career against the Cubs. The five-time Cy Young Award winner is 12-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 13 starts vs. Chicago.

The veteran lefthander overcame two homers and won for the second time in three starts on Tuesday, allowing four runs and six hits with six strikeouts over six frames in the Diamondbacks' 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kosuke Fukudome's two-run homer capped a six-run seventh inning as the Cubs posted a 7-2 victory on Saturday, their third in four games.