Silva solidifies starting spot as Cubs top Rockies 6-2
If there's any kind of pitch-off going on to stay in the Cubs' starting rotation, Carlos Silva is safe and sound.
Somebody will have to go when Carlos Zambrano returns to the rotation after his exile to the bullpen, but it won't be Silva.
The veteran right-hander turned in his sixth quality start in 8 appearances Tuesday night and ran his record to 5-0 as the Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-2 for their third straight win.
Silva became the first Cubs pitcher since Greg Maddux in 2006 to begin a season 5-0.
Afterward, he sounded a little like Maddux.
"The most important thing for a pitcher is to throw strikes," said Silva, who had 58 strikes in his 85 pitches. "Sometimes you have to take advantage of the weather, too. The wind was blowing in, and you don't have to be that careful (and be afraid) to make a mistake. That helps a lot."
Silva was quick and efficient in the early going, throwing 30 pitches over the first 3 innings and tossing first-pitch strikes to nine of the 11 batters he faced in that time.
"I'm never afraid to throw strikes," he said. "I don't like to walk anybody. Of course, you want to make your pitches, too. The faster you work, the better it's going to be for your team."
The Cubs' offense did its usual sputtering act early against pitcher Jhoulys Chacin. Kosuke Fukudome walked to start the first, and Ryan Theriot single him to third.
Derrek Lee struck out and Aramis Ramirez popped out before Marlon Byrd walked to load the bases. The threat ended when Tyler Colvin struck out.
The Cubs broke through in the fourth for 3, with Colvin (3-for-4) coming through with an RBI single, Starlin Castro driving 1 home on a forceout and Fukudome singling home the third run.
Silva looked to labor only in the seventh, when he issued a leadoff walk to Troy Tulowitzki. That prompted a quick visit from trainer Mark O'Neal, and Silva's night ended after the next batter, Todd Helton, hit his first home run of the year, a drive to right.
Silva has had lingering neck pain on the right side, but he's been able to make all of his starts.
"The one good thing we found out in spring training rather quickly was that he was healthy," said manager Lou Piniella, whose Cubs are 18-22 heading to Philadelphia and Texas. "When a pitcher's healthy, and he's had success in the past like he did in Minnesota, you figure you've got a chance to get good production. We're fortunate."
The Cubs got good relief work from lefties James Russell in the seventh and setup man Sean Marshall in the eighth before Zambrano struck out two of the three batters he faced in a non-save situation in the ninth.
Bruce Miles' game tracker Cubs 6, Rockies 2Hi-ho Silva: Carlos Silva became the first Cubs pitcher since Greg Maddux to begin a season 5-0. He turned in his sixth quality start. Cubs starters have a 2.37 ERA in their 26 quality starts. The Colvin factor: Tyler Colvin started in left field and went 3-for-4 and stole the first base of his career. The Cubs are 8-4 when Colvin starts. Walking man: Geovany Soto tied his career high with 3 walks. Soto has his on-base percentage up to .463.Cubs scouting reportCubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank ParkTV: Comcast SportsNet Wednesday; Channel 9 ThursdayRadio: WGN 720-AMPitching matchups: The Cubs' Tom Gorzelanny (1-4) vs. Jamie Moyer (5-2) Wednesday at 6:05; Ryan Dempster (2-4) vs. Joe Blanton (1-2) Thursday at 12:05 p.m.At a glance: The Phillies entered Tuesday with the NL's best record, at 24-13. The Cubs were 1-5 against them last year, 1-2 in Philadelphia. The Phillies were leading the league in batting average and slugging. They were second in on-base percentage, hits and total bases. They ranked fourth in ERA, at 3.70, while the Cubs were 10th, at 4.33. Phillies closer Brad Lidge is on the DL. Moyer has held Aramis Ramirez to 1-for-11. Against Dempster, Chase Utley is 6-for-9. Next: Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark, Friday-Sunday <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=381813">Big Z experiment canceled<span class="date"> [5/18/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=381810">Marshall inherits eighth-inning role<span class="date"> [5/18/10]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div>