Cubs 4, Astros 2

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HOUSTON -- Carlos Zambrano pitched into the seventh inning to get his first opening-day win in five chances, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Monday night.

Zambrano (1-0) allowed one run and five hits over six-plus innings in his first start against Houston since his no-hitter on Sept. 14 in Milwaukee. That game was played at Miller Park after Hurricane Ike damaged the Houston-area.

Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez homered off Houston's Roy Oswalt (0-1).

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said before the game that the 27-year-old Zambrano would get too nervous and excited on opening day in years past. But things were different this time around. He struck out six and walked three in a strong performance.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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