If there's one key to the Cubs' second-half resurgence, it's been the starting pitching.
Cubs starters reeled off six quality starts in a row before the streak ended Sunday with a good outing by right-hander Carlos Zambrano, who gave up one earned run in five innings but fell one inning short of qualifying for a quality start. Since the All-Star break, the Cubs have enjoyed 13 quality starts, with overlooked left-hander Ted Lilly leading the way with four.
If right-hander Carlos Zambrano and newly acquired right-hander Rich Harden are the co-aces of the staff and right-hander Ryan Dempster is the surprise, Lilly is the unsung hero. "He's a gutsy kid," said manager Lou Piniella. "He doesn't back off. He gets after it, and it shows."
Lilly has turned in four straight quality starts and 10 over his last 12 starts.
CUBS 8, PIRATES 5: OF Reed Johnson hit a two-out, two-run pinch homer in the eighth inning Sunday after the Cubs blew a 5-2 lead in the top of the inning, with RHP Chad Gaudin giving up a game-tying two-run homer to Andy LaRoche. RHP Carlos Zambrano pitched five innings of three-hit ball. He gave up two runs, one earned as manager Lou Piniella took him out after 82 pitches. 3B Aramis Ramirez and LF Alfonso Soriano also homered for the Cubs, with Soriano's coming in the eighth. RHP Carlos Marmol earned his sixth save.
