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Ramirez, Cubs look to continue success against Pirates

Aug 26, 2008 - 1:59 PM Chi Cubs (81-50) at Pittsburgh (57-74), 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Since the Pittsburgh Pirates traded him in 2003, Aramis Ramirez has really enjoyed playing against his former club.

Ramirez aims to continue that trend Tuesday when the Chicago Cubs face the Pirates in the middle contest of a three-game series.

The 30-year-old Ramirez hit his team-leading 23rd home run of the season - a three-run blast in the third inning - and drove in four runs as the Cubs cruised to a 12-3 rout of the Pirates on Monday.

Chicago improved to 12-4 against Pittsburgh this season, thanks in part to Ramirez, who also leads the club with 95 RBI this campaign.

The one-time All-Star, Ramirez has 22 homers and 65 RBI in 81 career games vs. Pittsburgh, where he spent five-plus seasons with before a midseason trade in 2003 sent him to the Cubs. Despite spending nearly half of his career - 559 of 1302 games - with the Pirates, he has hit more homers against only three other teams.

Pittsburgh starter Ian Snell (5-10, 5.60 ERA) will hope to slow down Ramirez and the rest of the Cubs' talented offense, while trying to outpitch Chicago ace Carlos Zambrano (13-5, 3.29).

Zambrano pitched seven innings during Thursday's 3-2 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds, allowing just one run and six hits with four walks and four strikeouts.