Second straight struggle for Silva

The Cubs certainly aren't at the point - or ever will be - when they want Milton Bradley back.

But is the real Carlos Silva starting to emerge? The one who went 5-18 with a 6.81 ERA the last two years in Seattle and not the one who surprisingly started this season at 8-0?

Silva lasted just 1 inning Monday night for his second straight short outing, allowing 7 hits and 5 runs in an 11-5 loss. His ERA has rocketed from 2.96 to 3.86 after his last 2 starts, which lasted a combined 21/3 innings.

"They were hitting my pitches," Silva said. "There's not more you can do. I just got beat."

Big Z to Iowa: Carlos Zambrano returned to the mound Monday night in a simulated game in Mesa, Ariz., striking out one in a scoreless inning.

Zambrano now heads to Triple-A Iowa to pitch Wednesday or Thursday. Zambrano could return to the Cubs' bullpen during next week's road trip to Houston and Colorado.

"We've been communicating through our minor-league pitching coordinator," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "He's basically feeling good."

Also on the mend: Look for John Grabow to follow Zambrano in a minor-league rehab stint soon. Grabow is expected back with the Cubs near the end of July.

The left-handed reliever, placed on the disabled list June 29 with a left-knee sprain, has appeared in 28 games with a 1-3 record and 7.36 ERA.

"He's going to start throwing soon," Lou Piniella said. "I know he is feeling better. I know (pitching coach) Larry (Rothschild) will start to put together a little program to get him throwing off the mound. He's going to need a little rehab work, too."

Night off: Jeff Baker started his first game since July 1 on Monday, taking Ryan Theriot's place at second base.

Theriot, just 3-for-17 so far on the homestand, might have liked one more day to break out of his slump. He owned a .370 career average against Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez. Baker doubled in his first at-bat and went 1-for-4.

Theriot - along with Ted Lilly, Derrek Lee and others - have been mentioned in recent trade talks. Theriot said Monday he hopes he remains with the Cubs, while his manager focused on an upcoming stretch of nine straight games against the NL Central.

"You win in your own division you can make up some ground," Lou Piniella said. "We've got to win series."

Good cause: Marlon Byrd and Randy Wells held a clinic before Monday's game for 50 kids from local Boys and Girls Clubs.

Back behind the mic: Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly returned Monday after taking a week off to watch his son Michael play for the Class A Daytona Cubs. Michael Brenly hit safely in every game while his dad watched, then added another hit Monday to extend his hitting streak to 18 games.