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Cubs call on Zambrano against Reds

Apr 23, 2009 - 5:04 AM By Jeff Mezydlo Stats Senior Writer

Cincinnati (8-6) at Chi Cubs (8-5), 2:20 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (AP) -- Carlos Zambrano struggled in his last outing for the Chicago Cubs. That's not been the case in his recent starts against the Cincinnati Reds.

The right-hander looks to continue his dominance over the Reds on Thursday in the decisive contest of a three-game set at Wrigley Field.

Zambrano (1-0, 5.21 ERA) allowed seven runs and nine hits while striking out seven and walking three in Chicago's 8-7 win over St. Louis on Friday. Though the Cubs have won each of Zambrano's three starts, he's given up 10 runs in his last 13 innings.

"It's early in the season, (and) things happen," Zambrano told the Cubs' official Web site after allowing three homers against the Cardinals. "I was feeling good, but my command (was) struggling."

Though Zambrano is 14-9 with a 3.13 ERA in 27 starts against the Reds, he's 5-0 with a 0.97 ERA in his last five against them, with three of those wins coming at Wrigley.

Chicago (8-5) received a solid effort from starter Ted Lilly on Wednesday, but couldn't must any offense against Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto and two relievers in a 3-0 loss to the Reds after winning 7-2 a night earlier.

Jay Bruce had two hits, including a home run, while Joey Votto and Willy Taveras each drove in a run for Cincinnati (8-6), which is 6-3 on its first road trip of the season that ends with this contest.

Bruce came into the series hitting .176, but is up to .238 after going 4-for-8 with two homers and three RBIs. His only hit in six at-bats against Zambrano was a home run.

The Reds had nine hits Wednesday, but are hitting just .219 as a team.

"You know we're going to hit," manager Dusty Baker said. "It's just a matter of when."

Aaron Harang (1-2, 2.70) hopes to conclude the Reds already-successful swing on a positive note. He allowed five runs and 10 hits in six innings of a 7-0 loss at Houston on Saturday.

"It was frustrating. When you make good pitches and don't get outs, it's that way," said Harang, who was coming off a three-hitter in a 2-0 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. "It was just one of those nights. You can't do anything about it."

The right-hander is 8-6 with a 4.81 ERA in 19 starts against the Cubs, but has lost his last four decisions versus them.

Derrek Lee is batting .304 with five homers and 11 RBIs against Harang and had two of the six hits Wednesday for Chicago, which scored 22 runs during its three-game winning streak that was snapped.

Aramis Ramirez added a single and is batting .476 (10-for-21) with eight RBIs during his five-game hitting streak for the Cubs.

After being out of Chicago's starting lineup for six games with a groin strain, Milton Bradley returned Wednesday and was 0-for-4 and is 1-for-23 this year.

"Milton doesn't have many at-bats so he is going to be fine," Lee said. "He can just flat out hit that isn't even a concern for us."