Zambrano, Cubs roll again
Rejuvenated Chicago wins sixth straight
Carlos Zambrano praised his smaller teammate Mike Fontenot, while making a joke at the rookie's expense. That's how loose the Cubs are right now.
"I didn't know short men could hit the ball like that," Zambrano said yesterday after host Chicago beat the Colorado Rockies, 6-4, and stretched its winning streak to six.
"He hits the ball like a man," Zambrano added. "I feel happy for him."
Zambrano got his fourth win in five games, Mark DeRosa hit a three-run homer, and Fontenot added a solo shot while going 3 for 4. Fontenot finished the three-game sweep of the Rockies 9 for 13 after going 5 for 5 Monday night.
"What a job he's done, huh? He really has," manager Lou Piniella said after the Cubs extended their longest winning streak since a seven-game run from May 27-June 2, 2005.
Fontenot certainly has confidence right now. At age 27 and generously listed at 5 feet 8 inches, Fontenot raised his average to .408 since he was called up from the minors nearly three weeks ago and gave the Cubs the productive No. 2 hitter they've been seeking. He came in the 2005 deal that sent Sammy Sosa to Baltimore.
Zambrano (9-6) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings, improving to 4-1 since his dugout and clubhouse fight with former teammate Michael Barrett June 1.
The Rockies, meanwhile, lost their sixth straight game since they swept three from the Yankees. It's Colorado's first six-game skid since last August.
Jason Hirsh (3-7) gave up five runs and five hits in six innings.
Padres 4, Giants 2 -- Greg Maddux earned his 340th career victory, outpitching someone nearly half his age to lead visiting San Diego.
Maddux (7-4) won for the fourth time in five decisions. Jose Cruz Jr. lined a go-ahead single in the eighth inning after a two-out double by Marcus Giles.
The 41-year-old Maddux gave up one run and five hits in seven innings.
The soft tosser won an intriguing duel against one of the majors' top up-and-coming power pitchers, 22-year-old Matt Cain (2-9).
Braves 13, Nationals 0 -- Chipper Jones drove in four runs to back a strong start from John Smoltz, helping host Atlanta sweep Washington.
Smoltz (9-4) struck out seven and walked one, leaving for a pinch runner in the fifth after throwing only 89 pitches.
Mets 2, Cardinals 0 -- Tom Glavine earned his 297th win, pitching one-hit ball for six innings in a rain-shortened shutout to lead host New York over St. Louis.
Diamondbacks 2, Dodgers 0 -- Brandon Webb (8-5) and three relievers combined to shut out visiting Los Angeles. Derek Lowe (8-7) allowed five hits and one earned run in 6 2/3 innings.
Pirates 7, Marlins 5 -- Xavier Nady and Ryan Doumit hit back-to-back home runs with two outs in the 10th inning and Pittsburgh won consecutive road games for the first time in a month.
Reds 9, Phillies 6 -- Javier Valentin hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the eighth inning and Adam Dunn added a two-run homer to lead Cincinnati at Philadelphia.
Brewers 6, Astros 3 -- Damian Miller hit his first homer of the season, a three-run shot that sailed into the Milwaukee bullpen in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Brewers the win.
Athletics 13, Indians 7 -- Jack Cust had a career-high five RBIs, Shannon Stewart finished with four hits, and visiting Oakland snapped a five-game losing streak.
Lenny DiNardo (3-4) won for the first time in four starts, allowing two runs and five hits in five innings.
Blue Jays 5, Twins 4 -- Gregg Zaun hit a two-run homer and visiting Toronto overcame four errors to win for the fifth time in six games.
White Sox 5, Devil Rays 3 -- Mark Buehrle (5-4) scattered nine hits over seven innings and repeatedly worked out of jams as Chicago rallied past host Tampa Bay.
Royals 1, Angels 0 -- Jorge De La Rosa (5-9) won for the first time since May 13, Mark Teahen singled home a run in the third inning, and visiting Kansas City swept Los Angeles.
Heavy rain caused yesterday's game between the Texas Rangers and Tigers in Detroit to be postponed. Detroit rescheduled the game as part of a day-night doubleheader Sept. 11. 