Zambrano's arm, Lee's 3 RBIs help Cubs blank Nationals, 7-0
Associated Press | Apr 26, 08 9:15 PM CDT in
Sports
Carlos Zambrano pitched five-hit ball over seven innings, Derrek Lee drove in three runs and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 7-0 Saturday night.
Zambrano (4-1) walked four and struck out five to improve to 86-56 for his career and help the Cubs snap a two-game skid. Since entering Chicago's rotation for good on July 1, 2002, his 45 road victories rank second in the major leagues behind Johan Santana's 48.
The right-hander, who has pitched seven innings in each of his four victories this year, improved to 6-2 lifetime against the Nationals. He had to work out of a jam in the seventh, striking out Ryan Zimmerman with runners on second and third before thrusting his right arm in the air.
Michael Wuertz and Jon Lieber eached pitched an inning to complete Chicago's first shutout of the season _ a six-hitter _ and the fourth time the Nationals have been blanked.
A three-run first inning helped the Cubs avert their first three-game losing streak of the season. After Reed Johnson and Ryan Theriot singled, Lee hit a run-scoring single to left off Matt Chico (0-5). Kosuke Fukudome drew a one-out walk and Mark DeRosa slapped a two-run single to left.
The top of the order and Lee delivered again in the second. Following one-out singles by Johnson and Theriot, Lee ripped a two-run double into the left-field corner for a 5-0 lead.
Aramis Ramirez added a two-run double off Jesus Colome in the eighth.
Chico allowed five runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out five.
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