Jason Marquis retired the first 16 batters he faced and finished with a three-hitter Wednesday night, winning his fifth straight start and sending the Cubs to a 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Marquis (5-1) walked none and struck out five in his second career shutout and fourth complete game.
He outpitched Pirates lefty Tom Gorzelanny (4-2), who gave up only six hits over seven innings, including a leadoff homer to Alfonso Soriano.
Marquis’ bid for a perfect game ended when No. 8 hitter Don Kelly slapped an opposite-field single to left with one out in the sixth.
Ryan Doumit doubled with two outs in the seventh, and Jose Bautista singled in the eighth.
It was the second straight strong effort against the Pirates for Marquis, who limited Pittsburgh to four hits over eight innings a week ago at PNC Park.
Marquis, who pitched a two-hitter against Washington in 2005 while with the Cardinals for his other shutout, got several line-drive outs.
First baseman Derrek Lee snared two of them, including a nice lunging grab in the hole to rob Kelly of a hit in the third.
Soriano’s leadoff homer extended his hitting streak to 17 games, and it turned out that was all Marquis needed.
CUBS hits
A movement is afoot to have the Cubs organization erect a statue of Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, who is 76. “The idea has been floating around for a long time,” said Jesse Jackson, who first suggested the idea publicly on Mike North’s The Score (670-AM) morning show several months ago.
– The cicadas are about to invade Wrigley Field, just like the rest of Chicago, and should be emerging from the ground near the outfield wall in time for the start of the home series against Florida on May 28. Cubs head groundskeeper Roger Baird said they won’t cause any damage to the ivy on the outfield walls.
– The Cubs will make up their snowed-out game against Houston at 7:05 p.m. June 11. Tickets will be available at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Wrigley Field box office, at the Cubs’ Web site, and by calling 800-843-2827.
