=== Chicago Cubs Team Report - May 19 ===

(My Sportsbook) - Carlos Zambrano tries to continue his amazing stretch as he takes the mound for the Cubs tonight in the middle contest of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.

Zambrano is 2-0 over his last three starts and hasn't allowed an earned run in that time, a span of 24 innings. During this run the 22-year-old righthander has struck out 28 and walked only five batters. He has faced San Francisco twice in his career, including one start, and is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA.

With Sammy Sosa on the disabled list with a sprained ligament in his lower back, the Cubs will have to rely on others to jump-start their offense, especially after they were stymied by Jason Schmidt last night. Schmidt tossed a one-hitter and tied a career-high with 13 strikeouts in a 1-0 San Francisco victory last night.

Matt Clement was the tough-luck loser, yielding just one run on five hits in eight innings of work. He struck out six and walked two, dropping his second straight start after winning five consecutive starts.

Michael Barrett had the lone hit for Chicago, which had a four-game winning streak halted.

Todd Hollandsworth started in Sosa's place last night and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

This is the first series between the teams. The Cubs won four of the six meetings last season.