If the Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers were racing in the Daytona 500, they both would be driving beat-up Chevys with faulty brakes.
The Central Division race has turned into a battle of attrition, with neither the Cubs nor the Brewers looking anything like a made-for-October team.
The Cubs had another opportunity to move into a first-place tie Wednesday after Milwaukee lost by 15 runs at Colorado.
But Carlos Zambrano hit the wall in an 8-2 loss to Houston before 41,855, as the Cubs were swept at Minute Maid Park.
“You know what has been amazing about chasing Milwaukee is when they were hot, we were hot, and when they’re cold, we’re cold,” manager Lou Piniella said.
The slumping Cubs have lost four straight, six of seven and 11 of their last 18 games, while the free-falling Brewers have lost four straight and 14 of their last 20.
Outpitched by Astros ace Roy Oswalt, Zambrano (14-8) allowed seven runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. It was his worst outing since he gave up seven runs to Atlanta on June 1, the day he punched Michael Barrett in the face and subsequently declared a “do-over” to his season five days later.
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CUBS HITS
Felix Pie reported to the Cubs on Wednesday with encouraging news about Alfonso Soriano. “I talked to him at the airport when he was going to Denver,” Pie said. “He told me he was recovering very quickly and can walk normally now. The [torn right quad] is not too painful, and he said he can come back soon.”
Next series
At Colorado
Season series: Cubs lead 3-0.
Thursday: 8:05 p.m., WGN
LH Ted Lilly (12-5, 3.53) vs. RH Ubaldo Jimenez (1-1, 5.16)
Friday: 8:05 p.m., CSN RH Jason Marquis (8-7, 4.39) vs. RH Aaron Cook (8-6, 4.16)
Saturday: 7:05 p.m., CSN LH Rich Hill (6-6, 3.54 vs. RH Josh Fogg (6-7, 4.73 ERA)
Sunday: 2:05 p.m., WGN LH Sean Marshall (5-6, 4.17) vs. TBA
Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano scratches his head Wednesday after giving up a solo homer to the Astros’ Craig Biggio in the third inning in Houston. [ Ap photo ]
