Monday, May 09, 2005


Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Cubs 2, Phillies 1
Finally!

CHICAGO (AP) -- With a pump of his fist, Carlos Zambrano put an emphatic end to the Chicago Cubs' losing streak.

The fiery right-hander struck out Jose Offerman with his 136th pitch to end the game, and the Cubs snapped their seven-game skid with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

``It's a tremendous relief,'' Cubs manager Dusty Baker said.

Neifi Perez and Aramis Ramirez homered to back Zambrano's five-hitter. It was his fifth career complete game and first since May 7, 2004.

``Like I always say, 130, 140 pitches for me is nothing,'' Zambrano said. ``I work hard and that's why I'm here.''

Zambrano (3-1) put men on in every inning but the seventh and eighth, but struck out five and was helped by double plays in the third and fourth to win for the first time since April 20 at St. Louis.

Whew, glad that's over.