Since signing mercurial ace Carlos Zambrano to a $91.2 million contract, the Cubs have chalked up a 0-5 record and an 8.29 ERA in his last six starts. But off season acquisition Ted Lilly is stepping up. Lilly cooled off the Dodgers to keep Chicago a half game ahead of Milwaukee in the clotted National League Central.
Milwaukee hit five homers to beat Houston, 14-2. Lilly gave up two runs in 6 " innings, recording his 14th win to match the total of the staff ace. Still, he said, "I think Carlos is the ace of the staff for a reason. He's earned that over the years, put together quite a few dominating years." (More MLB stories.)