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 Want to teach in Oklahoma? Prep for an 'America First' test. RIP Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1967-2025. Republicans join pushback over Trump firing. Do you really care if your diamond was made in a lab? Report an error