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Chicago Cubs take aim at their fifth straight win at PNC Park this evening when they continue their three-game set with the
Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago has dominated the Bucos this season, winning nine of its 10 matchups with them, including a three-game sweep in the Steel City from April 7-9. The Cubs are also 12-1 in their last 13 meetings with the Pirates dating back to last season.
That trend continued in the opener of this set on Friday, as Carlos Zambrano tossed seven innings of two- run ball and had an even better game at the plate, recording four hits and two runs batted in, helping the Cubs to a season-high 19 hits in a 12-3 romp.
Zambrano (7-1) allowed just six hits and one walk while fanning six to extend his personal unbeaten streak to eight games.
Reed Johnson homered, doubled twice, knocked in four runs and scored a pair, while Aramis Ramirez was 3-for-4 with three runs scored to halt Chicago's two- game skid. Mark DeRosa also notched two doubles in a three-RBI effort.
However, Alfonso Soriano, who has hit safely in all seven games he has played against the Pirates this season, left Friday's tilt in the sixth inning after having trouble running. He is questionable for tonight's contest.
Zach Duke (2-3) was shelled for ten hits and five runs -- four earned -- in his four-inning start for the Pirates, who have dropped four of their last five and the opener of this three-game set. Nate McLouth roped a two-run triple, while Jason Bay added a single and three-bagger in the setback.
Heading to the hill for the Cubs this evening will be right-hander Jason Marquis, who will try to string back-to-back wins together for the first time this season. Marquis snapped a three-start losing streak on Sunday against the Pirates, surrendering three runs (two earned) and four hits in six innings to improve to 2-3 on the season, while lowering his earned run average to 4.96.
Marquis is 7-5 lifetime against the Pirates with a 3.98 ERA in 20 games, 16 of which have been starts.
Pittsburgh will counter with lefty Phil Dumatrait, who is 1-2 with a 4.39 ERA this season. Dumatrait lost to Marquis on Sunday, allowing four runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings.
He has faced the Cubs six times (two starts) and is 0-2 against them with a 7.47 ERA.