Game Ninety-Seven - Cubs 1 Astros 4
WP - Wandy Rodriguez (5-3) LP - Carlos Zambrano (10-4) Save - Jose Valverde (25)

Lou Piniella's crew has started the second half of the season the same way they began the year....with back-to-back losses to a division rival. The Cubs dropped the first two games of the year to the Brewers with a less than stellar performance from their offense and have duplicated the performance the last two days in Houston. The Cubs managed only 1 run for the second night in a row, but this time the solo home run came from their pitcher, Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano hit his second home run of the year into the stands just beyond the right field wall in the 7th inning that broke up the shutout.

Carlos Zambrano set a new franchise mark for home runs by a pitcher in the loss. Big Z's 14th career home run surpassed the previous mark of 13 held by Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins.

On the mound was a different story for Zambrano. He struggled with his command and gave up as many hits as walks. Two of Zambrano's six free passes came around to score and the Astros' second run of the game was scored by Wandy Rodriguez after he led off the 3rd inning with a single to right center....just his third hit of the season.

Zambrano not only struggled with his command but he fought with himself as well. Following the game Lou Piniella mentioned Zambrano must find a way to harness his emotions on the mound. All teams need a pitcher the caliber of Carlos Zambrano and once he is able to focus his energy and be a consistent force when he takes the mound, the sky is the limit for Big Z.

The Cubs dropped their third straight game, dating back to last Sunday, and with the loss are 8 games under .500 on the road at 20-28.