A day after Carlos Zambrano and Will Ohman teamed up for a one-hitter against the Houston Astros, the Cubs pitching staff was at it again on Tuesday.
Kerry Wood, Ohman, Carlos Marmol, Scott Eyre and Bobby Howry combined for an 11-hitter in a 4-1 loss to Houston.
“We knew we had the chance to do something special after Woody gave up seven hits without making it through the fifth,” said manager Dusty Baker. “It’s just good to know he can pitch four relatively pain-free innings.”
Three Astros pitchers held the Cubs to just one run on seven hits. “Give me a break,” said Bobby Howry, who barely managed escaped the eighth inning thanks to a bases-loaded strikeout. “My mother and two of her friends could do that.”
Kerry Wood has had two straight starts delayed due to soreness, and left Tuesday’s game in the fourth inning after throwing just 75 pitches to give up four runs. His pitches weren’t crisp, his fastball looked lifeless and he didn’t record a single strikeout.
“When that happens, an 11-hitter is within reach,” he said after the game. “Next time, I hope to give up even more, assuming of course I’m able throw more than 75 pitches.”
Number of the night: 112
Percentage points that separate the batting averages of Tony Womack (.304) and Neifi Perez (.192). Despite this, Perez was selected to pinch-hit for Ohman in the fifth inning. He did not reach base.
