Cubs' inconsistency reigns

The Cubs' Texas-two-step of mediocrity tour lurched one stride back on Easter with a 7-3 loss to the Dodgers at Wrigley Field.

Heading into the game, the Cubs were working on a streak to start the season of hitting every .500 mark. They were 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, 9-9 and 10-10 to set a major-league marks for even-steven records to kick off a season.

They'll have a chance Monday night to say, “This one goes to 11” because their record now sits at 10-11.

Things will only get better for the Cubs if their starting pitching finds consistent success.

Sunday's starter, Carlos Zambrano, has been the best in the rotation so far, but he suffered an off-day, giving up 5 runs in the first inning as the Dodgers never looked back.

“It's just too much to overcome,” manager Mike Quade said. “Normally, when you get on a roll and start playing well consistently, it has a lot to do with your starting pitching. Once we get that straightened out, I'll feel pretty good about this thing. We're just very inconsistent in that area right now.”

Inconsistent and not very effective.

So far, Cubs starting pitchers are 5-8 with a 6.03 ERA. The Cubs led the league in quality starts last season, but this year it has been quite the different story. They have only 5 quality starts (at least 6 innings pitched and no more than 3 earned runs), and the starters have a nice 1.91 ERA in those games.

However, Zambrano's 5-inning, 6-run performance was the Cubs' 16th non-quality start of the year, and the starters have an ERA of 7.67 in those games.

“Guys are going to have rough days, and you don't know when,” Quade said. “It's a team game. … Everybody's got to contribute and kick in.

“But normally when you're playing well you run through a week where you get 5 or 6 quality starts, and you battle back once in awhile, and it gives your bullpen a break and everything else. Whoever said that pitching is 90 percent of the game knew what he was talking about, in my opinion.”

Zambrano had his winning streak, which dated to last season, snapped at 10. The Dodgers squared him up early in counts in the 5-run first, getting 4 hits.

“Let's get a new winning streak, you know?” he said. “I knew sooner or later I was going to lose a game. Unfortunately, it was today. Let's move on, and let's focus on my next game against the Diamondbacks.

“I was up (in the strike zone). The pitches in the first inning weren't doing anything. The sinker was no good. I was able to throw 5 innings and battle for my team.”

Cubs batters did not hit a home run in this series. The weather cooled again Sunday, but both teams had to play in it. However, one veteran didn't seem ready to panic despite the halting start.

“I say it every year,” said reliever Kerry Wood, who got into his first game since April 16. “Every spring training, coming to this weather, you get through April and get to that first week of May .500 or better, you're in a good spot.

“It's tough to come here and play in this weather and deal with this. But the guys have done a good job, We've been in all the games, all but one or two. We're right there.”