ARI D'backs at CHC Cubs (May 11, 2008)
2008-05-11 07:19:00
PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW
(ARIZONA-CHICAGO CUBS)
*Johnson hopes to remain perfect vs. Cubs*
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Arizona (23-14) at Chicago Cubs (21-15) 2:20 pm EDT
CHICAGO (Ticker) -- While Carlos Zambrano is dominating the
National League so far this season, he has a long way to go to
match Randy Johnson's success against the Chicago Cubs.
The Arizona Diamondbacks hope to avoid a sweep at the hands of
the Cubs when the teams complete their three-game series on
Sunday.
Zambrano (5-1, 1.80 ERA) ranks third in the NL in ERA in 2008,
due in large part to his ability to limit the number of walks he
has traditionally allowed. After back-to-back season of
100-plus walks, the righthander has surrendered just 14 free
passes through eight starts and is on pace for a career-low 60.
He was on top of his game once again in Tuesday's 3-0 win over
the Cincinnati Reds when he yielded just three hits and three
walks over eight innings, extending his unbeaten streak to five
games.
In seven of his eight turns this season, the righthander has
yielded two runs or less, pitching into the seventh inning each
time.
However, that success pales in comparison to the complete
domination Randy Johnson (2-1, 5.06) has enjoyed in his career
against the Cubs. The five-time Cy Young Award winner is 12-0
with a 1.98 ERA in 13 starts vs. Chicago.
The veteran lefthander overcame two homers and won for the
second time in three starts on Tuesday, allowing four runs and
six hits with six strikeouts over six frames in the
Diamondbacks' 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Kosuke Fukudome's two-run homer capped a six-run seventh inning
as the Cubs posted a 7-2 victory on Saturday, their third in
four games.
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