Zambrano throws 8 strong innings to lead Cubs over Reds 3-0

[May 07, 2008]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- Carlos Zambrano had his way with Cincinnati's slumping lineup, allowing only three hits in eight innings, and Ronny Cedeno singled home a pair of runs that sent the Chicago Cubs to a 3-0 victory on Tuesday night.

The Cubs won for only fourth time in 12 games, a span marked by inconsistency all-around. Zambrano (5-1) has been one of the constants.

The right-hander has won four straight decisions, two of them against a Reds lineup that is often its own worst enemy. Cincinnati got only one runner to second base in the first five innings -- Joey Votto, who was picked off by Zambrano.

Zambrano gave up three singles and three walks, struck out three and lowered his earned run average to 1.80. Kerry Wood, pitching on the 10-year anniversary of his 20-strikeout game, gave up a bunt single and struck out two in the ninth, getting his fifth save in eight chances.

The Reds were shut out for the third time this season, half their total last year. They've lost six of their last seven overall.

No one has suffered from the Reds' weak offense more than Aaron Harang (1-5). The right-hander gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings, leaving his earned run average at 3.33.

In half of Harang's eight starts, the Reds have scored two runs or less.

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez was back in the Cubs' lineup after missing three games with a sore left wrist, which was hit by a pitch on Friday. He had a run-scoring single in the first inning, a ball hit sharply up the middle that made it 1-0.

A pair of walks and a sacrifice left Cubs at second and third with two outs in the fourth inning -- Cedeno's best situation. He slapped a down-and-away breaking ball into right field for a 3-0 lead.

The utility infielder has been one of Chicago's best clutch hitters. Fourteen of his 18 RBIs have come with two outs, the most on the team.

Before the game, Cubs manager Lou Piniella singled out the team's defense as a main area for improvement. Two errors gave Cincinnati five unearned runs in the series opener, a 5-3 win on Monday night.

The Cubs had two more errors on Tuesday, but Zambrano didn't let them hurt him. Nothing could get him off his game. He induced Edwin Encarnacion to ground into a double play in the sixth, scuttling a rally set up by one of the errors.

Ken Griffey Jr. had a pair of singles off Zambrano, but remained at 597 career homers. Griffey plans to attend a memorial for one of his boyhood friends in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, the team's day off.

Notes: Cubs C Geovany Soto extended his hitting streak to eight games. ... The Reds released LHP Scott Sauerbeck, who was pitching for Triple-A Louisville. The reliever was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in four appearances. ... Encarnacion reached on 1B Derrek Lee's error in the fourth, extending his streak to 26 games of reaching base safely. It's the longest by a Reds player since Austin Kearns reached in 32 straight games in 2003.

[Associated Press; By JOE KAY]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.