Zambrano earns 100th win, 2-1 over Reds

It was fitting that Carlos Zambrano launched what turned out to be the game-winning home run in his 100th major-league victory.

It also was appropriate that the 2-1 victory over the Reds at The Great American Ballpark didn't come easily.

Once again the bullpen flirted with disaster after Zambrano threw 62/3 innings of shutout ball, allowing just 2 hits with 5 walks while striking out seven. The victory moved the 27-25 Cubs into a virtual tie with the 28-26 Reds for third place.

Zambrano's home run was unusual, even for him.

After striking out on 3 pitches in his first at-bat while hitting from the left side against Reds right-hander Micah Owings (3-7), the switch-hitting Zambrano appeared to tweak his shoulder.

So he moved to the right side for his second trip to the plate and dropped a 400-foot bomb to center field for a 2-0 lead in the fifth.

Zambrano (4-2) left after 109 pitches with two outs in the seventh and runners at first and second. Angel Guzman, who has been the Cubs' most effective pitcher out of the bullpen this season, got pinch hitter Johnny Gomes to bounce into an inning-ending fielder's choice.

Then it got interesting. As is his custom, Carlos Marmol walked the leadoff hitter to start the eighth and allowed a triple to Brandon Phillips, whose roller in the gap got underneath the outstretched glove of Alfonso Soriano and banked off the wall, for the Reds' only run. Marmol wiggled off the hook after walking another hitter.

In the ninth, closer Kevin Gregg retired the first two hitters before a single by pinch hitter Ryan Hanigan. Gregg then struck out Jerry Hairston on a breaking ball in the dirt that escaped catcher Koyie Hill, allowing Hairston to reach first and pinch runner Juan Castillo to get to third.

But Gregg got Chris Dickerson on a popup to third baseman Mike Fontenot for his 10th save.

While Marmol, Gregg and just about everyone else in the bullpen have struggled at times, Guzman has been solid, posting a 2.49 ERA going into Friday's game.

"I think he's pitched the best out of our bullpen this year," manager Lou Piniella said on his pregame radio segment. "Not only has he got good stuff, but he throws strikes.

"The problem with some of our pitchers out of our bullpen has nothing to do with their stuff. We've got good arms out there, but you look at the walks and they're almost staggering at times."

Marmol has walked 25 hitters in 26 innings. Aaron Heilman has issued 16 in 23 innings, and Gregg has walked 13 in 241/3 innings. Guzman has walked just eight in 252/3 innings.

"You can't continuously walk people," Piniella said, "especially late in the ballgame, and win with the consistency that you want."

Bob LeGere's game tracker

Select company: Carlos Zambrano became the 21st pitcher in Cubs history to reach the 100-win plateau but just the fourth in the last 50 years. He joins Fergie Jenkins (167 wins from 1966-73 and 1982-83), Rick Reuschel (135 wins from 1972-81 and 1983-84) and Greg Maddux (133 wins from 1986-92 and 2004-06).

Cold as ice: After being retired in his first 3 at-bats, Alfonso Soriano had just 8 hits in 59 at-bats for a batting average of .136. Soriano doubled and walked in his final 2 plate appearances.

Dual threats: Friday night's starting pitchers, Zambrano and Micah Owings, have won the last three NL Silver Slugger Awards for pitchers. Zambrano, whose homer was sandwiched in between strikeouts, won in 2006 and '08. Owings, who walked and struck out, won in '07.