Carlos Zambrano pitched 7 strong innings before being taken out after 105 pitches. He gave up 2 runs on 7 hits and struck out 7 with no walks. Astros reliever Oscar Villarreal took the loss. Zambrano came out of his start on Opening Day because of forearm cramps which was due to dehydration and lack of potassium. The Cubs' training staff has fore-fed bananas to Zambrano.
As he is known for being a workhorse on the mound, Zambrano didn't feel as such after being put on his banana regimen, saying he feels more "like a monkey now."
His second start was the first game in almost a year in which he's pitched without giving up a walk. The last one being April 28, 2007 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
OPINION
The Chicago Cubs are dealing with unwanted slumps. Soriano ended his day with a .077 average. Three hits in thirty-two at-bats, six strikeouts, two walks and three RBIs including one homerun.
Aramis Ramirez is in a slump of his own. After going 2-3 on Sunday, he is batting only .211 with one RBI, a homerun. He's also struck out only twice, showing that he's hitting the ball, just not hitting the ball where there's no defense.
Ryan Theriot is hitting .200 (5-30) with one double. His speed hasn't been used, he's stolen only 3 bases.
On the other hand, the pitching is great; relative to the offense. The team ERA is 5.03 but the offense has been able to spark at the right times. The relievers have been able to hold leads, a job that was proven hard to do the last few seasons.
The Chicago Cubs are dealing with unwanted slumps. Soriano ended his day with a .077 average. Three hits in thirty-two at-bats, six strikeouts, two walks and three RBIs including one homerun.
Aramis Ramirez is in a slump of his own. After going 2-3 on Sunday, he is batting only .211 with one RBI, a homerun. He's also struck out only twice, showing that he's hitting the ball, just not hitting the ball where there's no defense.
Ryan Theriot is hitting .200 (5-30) with one double. His speed hasn't been used, he's stolen only 3 bases.
On the other hand, the pitching is great; relative to the offense. The team ERA is 5.03 but the offense has been able to spark at the right times. The relievers have been able to hold leads, a job that was proven hard to do the last few seasons.
It's weird. The Cubs don't have boisterous numbers in any area. The only impressive numbers are really Kosuke Fukudome's numbers through his first week as Cub. A .421 average with one homerun and six RBIs. He's definitely been a keystone to the Cubs' offense.
Another big number is 17. 17 runners left on base by the Cubs in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Astros. The game wasn't based on the Cubs generating runs, it was based on the Cubs stopping the other team from generating runs. The Cubs have been winning because they've been playing defense, with average pitching.
Another big number is 17. 17 runners left on base by the Cubs in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Astros. The game wasn't based on the Cubs generating runs, it was based on the Cubs stopping the other team from generating runs. The Cubs have been winning because they've been playing defense, with average pitching.
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