With a weary bullpen, Pirates manager Jim Tracy is hoping for a lengthy outing Friday from ace Tom Gorzelanny (13-7, 3.57 ERA) on Friday.
Gorzelanny is 4-1 with a 3.65 ERA over his last six outings, although he's coming off a disappointing start on Sunday. He gave up four runs - three earned - and six hits in four innings and did not factor in the decision of a 7-4 loss to the Brewers.
Gorzelanny is 1-1 with a 0.60 ERA in two career starts against the Cubs, including one this year. The left-hander allowed one run and six hits in seven innings against them on May 9, but the Pirates lost 1-0.
Chicago will counter with Rich Hill (8-7, 3.84). Hill is 2-0 with a 3.81 ERA in his last four starts, with the Cubs winning all of them. The left-hander allowed five runs and six hits in five innings in a 6-5 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday, and did not get a decision.
Hill is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA with 26 strikeouts over 21 1-3 innings in three career starts against the Pirates. He allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings against them April 30 in a 3-2 loss.
During a sluggish period for the Cubs, manager Lou Piniella predicted his team had one more hot streak in it.
Now he is crossing his fingers for a winning stretch.
The Cubs suffered a heartbreaking 7-4 loss to the Dodgers on Thursday, when closer Ryan Dempster gave up four runs in the ninth inning. Chicago dropped three out of four to Los Angeles, and its 2 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee in the National League Central has evaporated. The two teams are knotted up for the lead.
"We're going to have to get hot one more time," Piniella said. "I don't know when, but one more time. One more streak."
The Cubs open a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Friday. The Cubs are 4-5 against the Pirates this year. Next week, the Cubs will face St. Louis five times (a makeup game Monday at Wrigley Field and four games in Busch Stadium the following weekend). The Cardinals are in third place but just a game behind the Cubs and Brewers.
DODGERS 7, CUBS 4: Jason Marquis was more than half way to a perfect game when he retired the first 14 batters Thursday, but the Cubs suffered a perfectly awful ending to the game. Ryan Dempster suffered his third blown save of the year when he gave up four runs in the ninth inning. Alfonso Soriano had two homers and drove in all four of the Cubs' runs.
--RHP Jason Marquis retired the first 14 batters he faced and gave up two runs in seven innings against the Dodgers on Thursday afternoon. He was denied the victory when Los Angeles scored four ninth-inning runs in a 7-4 victory.
--LHP Ted Lilly, who is tied with RHP Carlos Zambrano for the team lead in victories (14), will face St. Louis in Monday's makeup game at Wrigley Field. He will face the Cardinals again Sept. 15 in a day/night doubleheader in Busch Stadium.
--RHP Ryan Dempster recorded his 1,000th career strikeout when he fanned Shea Hillenbrand in the ninth inning Wednesday night. But Thursday afternoon, he gave up four runs in two-thirds on an inning and was saddled with a loss against the Dodgers.
--3B Aramis Ramirez was given Thursday afternoon off because the Cubs had a night game and the left knee that he injured in June is still not 100 percent.
--OF Cliff Floyd, who has been nursing a sore back this week, continues to rest on the bench while making occasional pinch-hitting appearances. Matt Murton and Daryle Ward have taken over for him while he is mending. The Cubs hope Floyd will be able to start when they go to Pittsburgh this weekend.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Categories newly acquired Steve Trachsel led the Cubs in during the 1990s -- wins, starts, innings pitched and strikeouts.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm sure St. Louis isn't going to give their (World Series) rings back after going 82-80 last year. Apologize for nothing. We're in first place in our division." -- Infielder Mark DeRosa, when asked if the Cubs should apologize for being in first place in the National League Central despite a mediocre record. The Cardinals went 83-78 to win the NL Central by 1-1/2 games over Houston, who went 82-80 in 2006.
MEDICAL WATCH:
C Jason Kendall (sore left hand) was hit by a pitch Sept. 2 and sat out Sept. 3. He was back in the lineup Sept. 4.
RF Cliff Floyd (sciatica) didn't play Sept. 3-4, and he pinch-hit Sept. 5. He is day-to-day.
3B Aramis Ramirez (left knee) was given Sept. 6 off to rest an injury that dates back to June and is still not 100 percent.
OF Angel Pagan (colitis) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 8. He was rehabbing in Mesa, Ariz., in early September.
RHP Angel Guzman (strained right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 2. He was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 3.
RHP Mark Prior (shoulder fatigue) underwent surgery on April 24, and he will miss the entire 2007 season. He was transferred from the minor league disabled list to the major league 60-day DL on June 3.
RHP Roberto Novoa (sore right shoulder) has been out all season. He was recalled from the minors and placed on the 60-day disabled list June 6.