Sports | MLB Cubs Retain Half-Game Lead Over Brew Crew With Zambrano scuffling, Lilly proves stabilizer for rotation By Jesse Andrews Posted Sep 6, 2007 4:10 AM CDT Copied Chicago Cubs' Geovany Soto scores as Los Angeles Dodgers' Mike Lieberthal waits for the throw during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, in Chicago. The Cubs won 8-2. (AP Photo/Jerry Lai) (Associated Press) 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." Read These Next Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. Actor Sam Rockwell gets residuals from movie he wasn't in. Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. President Trump celebrates a 'giant' Supreme Court win. Report an error