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Blum blasts Astros past Cubs in 11th

Sep 3, 2008 - 6:13 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Carlos Zambrano's return to the mound wasn't too pleasing and the end of the game was even more exhausting. The news the Chicago Cubs received after it, though, could be dooming.

The Cubs rallied from a four-run deficit after Zambrano exited, but Geoff Blum belted a two-run home run in the 11th inning to propel the Houston Astros to a 9-7 triumph on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Their biggest loss, however, could be their ace for an extended period of time.

Upon exiting after five pedestrian innings, Zambrano complained of pain in his throwing arm and will visit the team's doctor, Dr. Stephen Gryzlo, on Wednesday for further evaluation.

"He told our pitching coach he was not feeling good," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "He went upstairs to our trainer and he will see our team doctors tomorrow. When we know more about it, we will let you know about it."

Zambrano returned to the rotation after having his scheduled outing over the weekend pushed back due to a tired arm and surrendered three runs, five hits and three walks over 86 pitches.

"I had no idea there was anything wrong with him," Cubs catcher Geovany Soto said. "The first two innings, he threw the ball real well and after that, he just seemed to try and compete."

If the burly righthander is out for the stretch run of the season, the Cubs (85-54) could see their 4 1/2-game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers (80-58) in the National League Central dissipate.

Lance Berkman worked a one-out walk and Blum followed with his 14th homer of the season against Cubs reliever Kerry Wood (4-3), taking the wind out of Chicago's sails.

"(Berkman) got a big walk in front of me, with him on first base and his ability to steal, I thought I might get a fastball and I guessed right," Blum said.

The Cubs will have to resort to the guessing game as well when it comes to Zambrano's status. However, Piniella still felt the sting of a crushing loss.

"We squandered some opportunities tonight," Piniella said. "We did score seven runs which is ample enough to win, but we did not do it today. Houston is playing good baseball give them credit."

The Cubs chipped away at a four-run deficit when Ryan Theriot laced a two-run double and Mike Fontenot had an RBI single in the sixth. Jim Edmonds belted a solo homer in the seventh to even the score.

In the sixth, reliever Bobby Howry came on and coughed up four runs without getting an out as the Astros built a 7-3 advantage.

"It's a long season," Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano said. "We can't play the whole season well. We are just going to lose some games, that's the way baseball is. All we have control over is what we do tomorrow."

Mark DeRosa and Soto each connected on solo homers in the fourth to give the Cubs a 3-1 bulge against Houston starter Brandon Backe.

Backe gave up three runs - all on homers - and nine hits in 4 1/3 frames for the Astros, who have won seven straight.

"That is how we have been winning them lately," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. "We have gotten contributions from up and down the lineup and our pitchers. This was a tremendous effort tonight from everybody."