Carlos Alberto Zambrano (Zam-brah-noh) Matos...married to Ismary; they have three children, Carlis, Catherine and Carla... attended
Unidad Educativa Creacion School in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela...in 2010, formed "The Big Z Foundation," a non-profit
organization that aims to help underserved children and families in third-world countries, and in specific Chicago communities.
2011
Went 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA (145.2 IP/78 ER) in 24 starts for Chicago-NL before being
placed on disqualified list on August 13...Went 3-1 with a 2.92 ERA (24.2/8) in four starts from July 22-August 6...Was 5-2 with a 3.98 ERA (83.2/37) in first 13 starts through June 5, allowing six home
runs...Earned a 9-5 victory on April 13 in Houston to extend winning streak to a career-high
10 games, dating to 2010. Did not factor in decision in next outing and took loss in
following start...Threw season-high tying 8.0 innings in a 5-1 win, on May 4 at Los Angeles-NL, holding
Dodgers to one run on five hits, walking one and fanning four. With victory, had
earned a win in his 10th consecutive road start dating back to August 14, 2010, tying
a career-long streak for road wins (August 17, 2005-July 25, 2006). Streak was
snapped in next road outing, on May 16 at Cincinnati...Made final start of season on August 12 in Atlanta, surrendering a Cubs' franchise
record-tying five home runs in 4.1 innings of work before being ejected for throwing
inside to Chipper Jones.
2010
Carlos was 11-6 with a 3.33 ERA (48 ER/129.2 IP) in 36 games, 20 starts, for Chicago ... was 11-5 with a 3.19 ERA (40
ER/113.0 IP) in his starts, including an 8-0 mark and a 1.41 ERA (11 ER/70.1 IP) in his final 11 outings dating to August 9.
... His 1.41 ERA, August 9 to the end of the season, was third-best in baseball
behind Felix Hernandez (0.96) and Roy Oswalt (1.28) ... his eight
wins in that stretch tied for the majors' most with Boston's Jon Lester.
... Surrendered two or fewer earned runs in each of his final 11 starts ... was
the first time a Cub has done that in a single season since Rick Reuschel
did so from May 24-July 7, 1977.
... His 3.33 season ERA was his lowest since a 3.26 mark in 2005.
... Was 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA (8 ER/16.2 IP) in 16 relief appearances.
... Finished September 4-0 with a 0.78 ERA (3 ER/34.2 IP) in five starts.
... Was 1-2 with a 7.45 ERA (16 ER/19.1 IP) in four starts through April 20
before he was moved to the bullpen ... was 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA (6
ER/13.0 IP) in 13 relief outings, April 24-May 29.
w Tossed 1.1 relief innings April 24 at Milwaukee, his first game out
of the bullpen since June 28, 2002, at the White Sox.
... Began June back in the starting rotation, going 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA
(9 ER/22.1 IP) in four starts through June 20.
... Allowed four runs in 1.0 inning of work June 25 at the White Sox - he was
pulled from the game and placed on the suspended list the next day.
... Made four minor league appearances while on the restricted list ...
activated July 30 and made three relief outings before moving back to
the starting rotation for good, August 9.
... Recorded 19.0-consecutive scoreless innings before surrendering three
runs (two earned) in the seventh inning of his final start, October 2 in
Houston.
... Made his franchise record sixth-straight Opening Day start, April 5 in
Atlanta ... allowed eight runs in 1.1 innings of work.
... Hit his lone home run of the season, August 30 vs. Pittsburgh ... marked
his 21st career homer, extending his franchise record by a pitcher.
2009
Carlos completed his ninth season with the Cubs, going 9-7 with a 3.77 ERA (71 ER/169.1 IP) in 28 starts ... the 3.77 ERA
was his lowest mark since a 3.41 ERA in 2006.
... Landed on the disabled list twice in a single-season for the first time in
his career: was shelved with a left hamstring strain, May 4-22, and with
lower back spasms, August 6-25.
Prior to 2009, had been on the D.L. just twice: May 10-June 7,
2002 (right elbow strain) and June 19-July 4, 2008 (right
shoulder strain).
... Was 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA (19 ER/38.0 IP) in six starts prior to going on
the disabled list, May 4 ... was 4-3 with a 2.84 ERA (27 ER/85.2 IP) in
14 starts, May 22-August 1.
... Boasted a 2.73 ERA (28 ER/92.1 IP) on the road compared to a 5.03
ERA (43 ER/77.0 IP) at home.
... Went 7-2 with a 2.73 ERA (28 ER/92.1 IP) and a .221 average against
(73-for-335) in 15 starts away from Wrigley Field ... was 4-0 with a 2.16
ERA (10 ER/41.2 IP) in his last seven road outings.
... Headed to the disabled list for a second time August 8 (retroactive to
August 2) with back spasms ... had been scratched from his August 7
start in Colorado after feeling back discomfort while warming up.
... Was activated August 25 and pitched that night vs. Washington,
surrendering eight runs on seven hits and three walks, while fanning four
in 4.1 innings of work.
... Went 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA (25 ER/45.2 IP) in his final eight starts,
dating to August 25.
... In 14 starts against N.L. Central foes, went 4-2 with a 3.40 ERA (34
ER/90.0 IP).
... Was 5-4 with a 3.53 ERA (40 ER/102.0 IP) in 16 starts prior to the
All-Star Break ... went 4-3 with a 4.14 ERA (31 ER/67.1 IP) in 12 starts
after the Mid-Summer Classic.
... When facing the lineup for the first time, he held the opponent to a .180
average (39-for-217).
... Lowered his ERA from 5.21 to 3.35 (April 17-August 1), posting a 3.01
ERA (35 ER/104.2 IP) during the span (17 starts).
... Finished July with a 3-1 mark and a 2.63 ERA (11 ER/37.2 IP).
... Batted .217 (15-for-69) with five doubles, four homers and 11 RBI and
earned his third career Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger award ... the five
doubles were the most two-baggers for the righty since collecting a
career-high six in 2005.
... Earned the win Opening Day, a 4-2 victory in Houston, April 6 ... tossed
6.0 innings of one-run, five-hit ball, walking three and fanning six ...
marked his fifth-straight Opening Day start, and his first Opening Day win.
... Earned the 100th win of his career June 5 after hurling 6.2 shutout
innings, handcuffing the Reds to two hits, while walking five and fanning
seven in the Cubs' 2-1 victory.
... Recorded the game-winning RBI in back-to-back starts, July 12-17 ... in
the past five years, the only other pitchers to win back-to-back starts,
while producing the game-winning RBI in each of them, were Dontrelle
Willis in 2005 and Brandon Webb in 2008.
... Notched his fourth-career shutout September 25 in San Francisco,
allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out eight in Chicago's
3-0 victory - outdueled Tim Lincecum.
2008
Carlos was named to the N.L. All-Star Team for the third time in his career (also 2004 and 2006) and tossed a no-hitter against the
Astros at Miller Park on September 14 ... it was Chicago's first no-hitter in 36 years (Milt Pappas vs. San Diego, September 2, 1972).
© Finished the campaign 14-6 with a 3.91 ERA (82 ER/188.2 IP) in 30
starts.
© Tossed 2.0-shutout innings in the Mid-Summer Classic, appearing in
relief of starter Ben Sheets.
© Struck out 130, giving him 1,172 career punchouts - good for eighth in
franchise history ... Hippo Vaughn is seventh with 1,183.
© Hit four homers to lead major league pitchers.
© Landed on the disabled list for the first time in more than six years when
he was placed on the 15-day D.L. with a mild right shoulder strain June
21 (retro to June 19) through July 4.
Was previously on the D.L. May 10-June 7, 2002 with a right
elbow sprain.
© Went 7-2 with a 3.77 ERA (41 ER/98.0 IP) in 16 starts at Wrigley Field
... his .778 home winning percentage ranked tied for 12th in the majors.
© In 18 starts against the N.L. Central, went 9-3 with a 3.58 ERA (44
ER/110.2 IP).
© Was 10-3 with a 2.84 ERA (38 ER/120.1 IP) in 18 starts prior to the All-
Star break ... went 4-3 with a 5.80 ERA (44 ER/68.1 IP) in 12 starts after
the Mid-Summer Classic.
© Was 8-1 with a 2.51 ERA (24 ER/86.0 IP) in his first 13 starts to the season,
including a 3-0 mark with a 2.45 ERA (11 ER/40.1 IP) in six May
outings.
© Was 12-0 with a 1.47 ERA (17 ER/104.0 IP) when hurling 7.0 innings
or more (14 starts).
© Finished July with a 4-1 record and a 1.78 ERA (7 ER/35.1 IP), marking
his lowest monthly-ERA since boasting a 1.38 ERA (6 ER/39.0 IP) in July
2007 ... he was 5-1 that month.
© Batted .337 (28-for-83) with four doubles, a triple, four homers and 14
RBI en route to the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger award ... the .337
average is the highest for a Cubs pitcher in a single season since 1900
(min. 75 AB).
© Recorded a hit in 13-straight starts, June 2-August 26, marking the
longest streak by a pitcher since Wilbur Cooper had a 15-gamer in 1924.
© Also had an RBI in eight straight starts, July 19-August 26, becoming the
first pitcher in major league history to turn the trick.
© Surrendered two or fewer runs in 17 of his 30 starts ... left with the lead
in 18 of his outings.
© Started his fourth straight Opening Day for Chicago and did not figure in
the 4-3, 10-inning loss ... tossed 6.2-shutout innings, allowing just three
hits and one walk while striking out five, before leaving the game with a
right forearm cramp.
© Belted his 14th career home run July 19 at Houston (Wandy Rodriguez),
passing Fergie Jenkins for the franchise mark by a pitcher.
© Made his 200th career start July 24 ... tossed 7.0 innings of two-run, sixhit
ball in the Cubs 6-3 win over the Marlins.
© Tagged with the loss in Game Two of the NLDS vs. the Dodgers ... allowed
seven runs in 6.1 innings of work, however, just three were earned runs.
2007
In his seventh season with Chicago, Carlos established career highs with 18 victories and 34 starts while going 4-2 with a 3.44
ERA (14 ER/36.2 IP) down the stretch in six September outings.
© His 18 victories marked a career high, surpassing 16 victories in both
2004 and 2006, and were the most by a Cubs hurler since Mark Prior
won 18 in 2003.
© His 12 road victories led the majors, as he went 12-4 with a 3.06 ERA
(39 ER/114.2 IP) in 17 starts away from Wrigley Field ... was 6-9 with a
4.96 ERA (56 ER/101.2 IP) in 17 home starts.
His 12 road wins were the most by a Cub since Fergie Jenkins
won 13 in 1970.
© Right-handed batters were limited to a .200 batting average (80-for-
401) while left-handed hitters produced a .268 mark (107-for-400) off
Carlos.
© Worked 18 quality starts in 34 outings, including four of his final five
starts of the season.
© Batted .247 (20-for-81) on the season with two doubles, two homers
and five RBI.
© His 43 June strikeouts led the majors ... the last time he struck out that
many in a single month was May of 2006 when he punched out 47.
© Went 9-2 with a 1.43 ERA (13 ER/81.2 IP) from June 6-August 3, allowing
two or fewer earned runs in 11 of those 12 starts.
© Carried a no-hitter into the eighth June 16 vs. San Diego before allowing
a one-out single to Marcus Giles ... surrendered a solo homer to Russell
Branyan in the ninth inning of the 1-0 Cubs loss.
It was Carlos' lone complete game of the season.
© Matched his career high with 12 strikeouts, allowing three hits over 8.0
innings of work in a 5-1 victory over the White Sox, June 22.
© Named the N.L. Pitcher of the Month for July, going 5-1 with a 1.38 ERA
(6 ER/39.0 IP) in six starts.
© Won his then N.L.-leading 12th game, allowing no runs for the second
consecutive outing, giving up two hits over 5.0 innings of work in the
Cubs 12-1 victory over San Francisco July 18.
Did not allow a run over two starts, marking the first time he
threw consecutive scoreless outings since May 2-7, 2004.
© Suffered a career-high, five-game losing streak over six starts from August
3-September 3 ... was 0-5 with an 8.29 ERA (31 ER/33.2 IP) in that
span.
© Took the mound to start Game One of the NLDS in Arizona October 3 ...
did not factor into the decision of the 3-1 Cubs loss, working 6.0 innings
and allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight.
2006
Zambrano matched his career high with 16 wins despite going winless in his first six starts in April. Zambrano was 6-0 with a 4.15 ERA in July and won Pitcher of the Month honors. He ranked among the NL leaders in ERA, strikeouts and wins, but also was first in walks. Zambrano did better away from Wrigley Field, posting a 9-1 road record and a 2.97 ERA.
2005
Zambrano struck out 200 for the first time in his career. One of his best games was one in which he didn't get a decision. On July 22, Zambrano and St. Louis' Chris Carpenter both went nine innings. Big Z matched his career high with 12 strikeouts, and both starters gave up one run each. The Cubs won in extra innings. He went 8-2 with a 2.65 ERA in the second half.
2004
Carlos - who was honored with his first career All-Star selection in just his third full season in the majors - won a career-high 16 games and posted a career-best 2.75 ERA...finished fourth in the NL in ERA and tied for fifth in wins...also was sixth in opponents batting average against (.225), eighth in strikeouts (188) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (8.1), ninth in hit batsmen (20) and tied for ninth in walks (81)...was also third in the NL in ERA in home games (2.38), sixth in road ERA (3.13) and second in day ERA (2.01)...surpassed the 200.0-innings mark for the second straight season, as he hurled 214.0 innings in 2003 and 209.2 innings in 2004...held right-handed opponents to a .218 average - and had a .198 average in home games...was 10-2 in 15 games at Wrigley Field, lowering his career ERA at The Friendly Confines to 3.30...was selected the NL Pitcher of the Month in September...went 4-0 with a 1.01 ERA (4 ER/35.2 IP) in five starts...struck out 28 batters while issuing 11 walks - and held opponents to a .211 average...worked at least 7.0 innings in four of the five contests...the Cubs were 5-0 in his starts...went 9-4 with a 2.61 ERA in the first half of the season en route to being named to his first All-Star team...at 23 years and 43 days old, Zambrano was the youngest Cub to ever appear in an All-Star Game...worked the 4th inning of the Midsummer Classic, surrendering an RBI-triple to Alex Rodriguez...worked 6.0 or more innings in 26 of his 31 starts, including his second career complete-game shutout...hurled a 2-hitter May 7 vs. Colorado (11-0)... Matt Holliday singled in the 5th inning for the Rockies' first hit...Aaron Miles had the only other hit for Colorado (in the 9th)...Carlos struck out 5 batters and did not issue a walk in the contest...served as a loss-stopper for the Cubs on a pair of occasions...on May 13, he held the Dodgers to 1 unearned run in a 7-3 win as the Cubs avoided a sweep...then on May 30 he allowed 14 Pirates to reach base but only surrendered 1 run (12-1 win) as the Cubs snapped a 5-game losing streak...was issued a 5-game suspension by Major League Baseball for his actions in a July 19 game vs. St. Louis...was ejected from the game for hitting Jim Edmonds with a pitcher after both benches had been warned...surrendered a career-high 3 homers in the affair (Jim Edmonds, Edgar Renteria, Scott Rolen) in the 5-4 loss...made his first start of the 2004 campaign April 9 at Atlanta, allowing just 1 run in 7.0 innings...was not involved in the decision despite giving up just 2 hits and striking out 7 batters...the Cubs won the 2-1 contest in the 15th inning on Todd Hollandsworth solo pinch-homer...beat Pittsburgh for the first time in six career starts on April 15...held the Pirates to 1 run and 1 walk in earning his first win of the season (10-5)...struck out a career-high 12 batters May 2 at St. Louis for his fourth career double-digit strikeout game...was not involved in the decision in a 1-0 loss - though he hurled 7.0 shutout innings and allowed just 3 hits and 3 walks...battled dehydration in pitching the Cubs to a 6-2 victory over the crosstown rival White Sox...the Pale Hose tagged him for 2 unearned runs on 2 hits and 4 walks...left the game in the 7th inning with a cramp in his right forearm...flirted with a no-hitter for the second time in his career on August 23 against Milwaukee...Geoff Jenkins' 7th-inning, one-out double was the first hit he gave up...went on to allow 3 runs on 4 hits and struck out 9 in the 8-3 final...hit his third career home run September 17 in Cincinnati...hit a solo homer off Mike Matthews in the 12-4 Cub win...allowed just 1 run in his 7.0 innings of work.
2003
Carlos spent his first full
season as a big league starter,
going 13-11 with 3
complete games and a 3.11 ERA.
finished 7th in the N.L.
in ERA and 8th in innings
pitched (214.0).
finished 8th in the N.L.
in ERA on the road (3.22) and
was 8th in home ERA at 3.00
...Mark Prior also ranked among
the league Top 10 in both
categories.
only two Cubs pitchers over
the previous 30 seasons
finished a season in the N.L.
Top 10 in ERA both at home and
on the road - Rick Reuschel
(1977) and Greg Maddux (1992).
since entering the Cubs'
starting rotation just prior to
the 2002 All-Star Game, he has
posted a 3.28 ERA in 48 starts
(112 ER/307.0 IP).
his wife, Ismary, gave
birth to the couple's second
child - Catherine - on May 8.
THE MARK OF Z: In 13
starts after the All-Star break,
Zambrano was 7-3 with 3 complete
games and a 2.51 ERA (26 ER/93.1
IP) ...in 93.1 innings of work,
he allowed 5 homers.
won 5 consecutive starts
July 20-August 12 ...it was the
first winning streak of more
than 2 games during his big
league career.
in his first 2 starts of
the second half, he allowed 1
earned run in 14.2 innings - and
was 4-for-7 at the plate with a
homer and 4 RBI.
in the Cubs' 16-2 victory at
Florida July 20, he allowed 1
run in 6.1 innings - and went
3-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI
...as part of his first career
multi-hit contest, he had 2 hits
in the Cubs' 6-run 3rd inning
...began the frame with a double
off Dontrelle Willis, then drove
in the final run of the inning
with a single off Tommy Phelps.
in a 5-3 victory at Houston
July 25, he worked 8.1 innings
and allowed 5 hits, 3 1st-inning
unearned runs and 1 walk while
striking out 7
batters ...retired 24 of the
final 26 batters he faced
...tied the game at 3-3 with a
7th-inning 2-run homer off Wade
Miller ...the homer came on an
0-2 pitch.
hurled the first
complete game and shutout of his
major league career in a 3-0
victory over Houston August 12
...in his 9.0 innings of work,
he allowed 5 hits and 2 walks
while striking out 10 batters -
which tied his career high.
in a 4-1 win August 22
at Arizona, he flirted with a
no-hitter - throwing just 93
pitches in his second
route-going effort ...in his 9.0
innings of work, he allowed 3
hits, 1 run and 2 walks while
fanning 4 batters.
did not allow a baserunner
until surrendering a 5th-inning
leadoff walk to Raul Mondesi
...that was the only Diamondback
to reach base until the
bottom of the 8th inning, when
Shea Hillenbrand legged out a
2-out roller down the third base
line for an infield hit.
it was the deepest a Cubs
starter had pitched no-hit ball
since 1995, when Frank Castillo
pitched 8.2 no-hit innings
September 25 vs. St. Louis.
started the Cubs'
first-ever contest at San Juan's
Hiram Bithorn Stadium September
9, working 7.0 innings in
defeating Montreal 4-3.
went the distance in a
1-0 loss vs. Cincinnati
September 14 ...the Reds' lone
run scored with 2 out in the top
of the 9th inning on a Russell
Branyan single.
IN THE YARD: Zambrano
allowed just 9 homers in 214.0
innings of work - an average of
1 roundtripper surrendered every
23.8 innings.
the only other
full-season big league starter
with fewer than 10 homers
allowed was Boston's Pedro
Martinez (7 in 186.2 innings).
since 1950, the only
Cubs starter to work more than
200.0 innings and allow fewer
than 10 homers was Greg Maddux
in 1992 (7 homers in 268.0
innings).
when he surrendered a
2-run 6th-inning homer to
Edgardo Alfonzo July 31, it was
the first roundtripper he had
allowed since June 6 ...was
working on a stretch of 9
consecutive homer-free starts.
also induced 24 batters
to ground into double plays this
year.
IF YOU COULD TOSS THE BAD
ONES BACK: Zambrano gave up
6 runs against St. Louis May 9
(7.1-inning stint), 5 runs in
6.0 innings June 6 vs. the
Yankees, 5 runs in a 6.0-inning
outing July 3 at Philadelphia, 7
runs in 5-plus innings July 13
vs. Atlanta and 9 runs (6
earned) in 4.2 innings September
19 at Pittsburgh.
his ERA in his other 27
starts was 2.19 (45 ER/185.0
IP).
A TRUE SWITCH HITTER:
Zambrano homered twice this
year - once batting right-handed
(May 3 off Colorado's Darren
Oliver) and once batting
left-handed (July 25 off
Houston's Wade Miller) ...he was
the first switch-hitting pitcher
in club annals to homer from
both sides of the plate in one
season.
FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS: At 21
years of age on Opening Day,
Zambrano was the youngest Cub to
appear on the Cubs'
season-opening roster since Greg
Maddux (20) in 1987.
made his first start of
the season April 5 against
Cincinnati at Great American
Ball Park and earned the victory
in a 9-7 contest.
on May 3 vs. Colorado
(in which he had a no-decision
in a 6-4 Cubs loss), he hit his
first major league homer - and
the third of his professional
career - when he connected for a
4th-inning solo shot off Darren
Oliver.
in a 6-1 victory May 14
at Milwaukee, he worked 8.0
innings and gave up 3 hits, 1
run and 1 walk while striking
out 7 batters ...of the 24
putouts recorded by the Cubs
during his time on the mound,
only 2 were by
outfielders.
in his first 7.0 frames, he
allowed only 2 baserunners - and
both were erased (caught
stealing, grounded-into double
play).
suffered the loss in a
2-0 decision against St. Louis
(and Matt Morris) May 19
...allowed 1 unearned run in 7.0
innings on the hill.
picked up his fifth win
of the season May 25 at Houston
(7-3) ...was the winning pitcher
just 4 times last year.
on May 31 vs. Houston,
he worked the first 8.0 innings
(allowing 3 hits) of the Cubs'
16-inning 1-0 victory.
started June 6 against
the Yankees in the Cubs' first
contest against the Bronx
Bombers since the 1938 World
Series, taking the loss in a 5-3
game.
worked 2.0 innings in a
6-1 loss at Baltimore June 12
...did not return to the mound
after a 1-hour,
49-minute rain delay between the
2nd and 3rd frames.
on June 22 vs. the White
Sox, he allowed 1 run in 8.0
innings in a 2-1 win.
2002
Carlos spent most of the first half in the Cubs' bullpen -- and all of the second half in the starting rotation ... in 32 games (16 starts), he went 4-8 with a 3.66 ERA.
limited opponents to a .235 average ... surrendered 9 homers in 108.1 innings.
was 4-8 with a 3.68 ERA in his 16 starts (38 ER/
93.0 IP).
worked at least 6.0 innings in 9 of his starts ... in those games, he allowed 12 earned runs and 37 hits in 62.0 innings of work for a 1.74 ERA.
worked fewer than 6.0 innings in 7 starts ... in those contests, he had a 7.55 ERA
(26 ER/31.0 IP).
saw action in 16 games out of the bullpen, going 0-0 with a 3.52 ERA in 15.1 innings ... retired the first batter he faced in 10 of his appearances and stranded 9 of his 13 inherited runners.
began the year at Iowa (AAA), but was recalled April 11 to take the place of the injured Kyle Farnsworth ... had pitched in 1 Triple-A contest, working 3.0 scoreless innings April 7 vs. New Orleans.
joined the starting rotation July 1 at Florida,
taking the loss in an 11-1 contest ... in the second start of his major league career, he worked 4.2 innings and allowed 6 hits and 6 runs (2 earned).
earned his first big league win as a starter July 6 at Atlanta (7-3) ... allowed 2 hits over 5.0 scoreless innings while striking out 6 batters.
defeated the Braves again in his next start July 15 at Wrigley Field (3-2), working 7.0 innings.
was a hard-luck loser July 20 vs. Houston (3-2), working 7.0 innings and allowing 3 hits, 3 runs and 1 walk while fanning a career-high 10 batters.
suffered another tough loss August 9 at Colorado in just the second 2-0 game in Coors Field history ... worked 7.0 innings and allowed 4 hits, 1 run and no walks while striking out 2 batters ... after giving up back-to-back hits to start the bottom of the 1st, he retired 20 of the final 22 batters he faced.
was optioned to Iowa August 31 and recalled September 3.
on September 4 vs. Milwaukee, he combined with Antonio Alfonseca in blanking the Brewers 3-0 ... the win snapped a personal 5-game losing streak.
worked 8.0 innings and allowed 3 singles while striking out 6 ... had a no-hitter for 4.1 innings.
recorded his first big league hit in the
contest, a double off Nelson Figueroa ... had opened his career 0-for-22.
made his final start of the season September 26 vs. Cincinnati and suffered the loss in a 1-0 affair ... it was the third time the Cubs were blanked when he started.
beginning August 14, the switch-hitter batted solely from the right side of the plate.
was on the disabled list May 10-June 6 with a
partial ulnar collateral ligament sprain of his right elbow ... suffered the injury during a May 9 relief appearance against Milwaukee.
before returning to the Cubs, he made a pair of 3.0-inning starts during an injury rehab assignment at Iowa.
received a 5-game suspension for his actions during a bench-clearing incident in the 9th inning of the June 4 Iowa/Salt Lake contest ... was on Major League Baseball's suspended list August 3-August 8.
2001
Carlos saw his first major league action, going 1-2 in 6 games for the Cubs (1 start) ... spent most of the campaign in the starting rotation at Iowa (AAA).
the Cubs' purchased his contract from Iowa August 20 to start the first game of a doubleheader against Milwaukee ... returned to the majors September 9 upon the completion of Iowa's season.
took the loss in his big league debut (10-2), allowing 7 runs and 4 hits in 4-plus innings ... did not allow a hit until the 4th inning.
pitched solely out of the bullpen during his second stint with the Cubs ... made his first big league relief appearance September 19 at Cincinnati, working a scoreless frame.
picked up his first M.L. victory in his next outing September 21 at Houston (12-4).
in 26 games for Iowa -- including 25 starts -- he was 10-5 with a 3.88 ERA ... his strikeout total (155) ranked 3rd in the Pacific Coast League.
allowed just 9 homers (1 every 16.7 innings) while holding PCL batters to a .226 average (124-549).
after his first 11 starts, his ERA stood at 4.38 (31 ER/63.2 IP) ... beginning June 14, he allowed 34 earned runs and 64 hits in 87.0 innings for a 3.52 ERA.
fanned 13 batters in a complete-game 3-2 victory at Omaha August 30 ... also struck out 13 May 28 vs. Salt Lake, allowing 3 hits in 8.0 innings in a 1-0 victory.
in an 11-7 victory over Las Vegas June 8, he hit his second professional home run.
earned PCL Pitcher of the Week honors for the week ending August 12 after going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 2 starts ... in victories over Tacoma August 7 (3-2) and at Nashville August 11 (2-0), he worked 13.0 innings and allowed 9 hits and 3 walks while striking out 11 batters.
was named to The Sporting News' end-of-season Triple-A all-prospect team.
2000
Carlos reached the Triple-A level at the age of 19, making 34 relief appearances for Iowa (AAA) after opening the campaign in the West Tenn (AA) starting rotation.
at West Tenn, he went 3-1 with a 1.34 ERA in 9 starts ... allowed 39 hits in 60.1 innings, holding opponents to a .181 average (39-216).
opened the year as the youngest player in Double-A -- and was leading the Southern League in ERA at the time of his promotion.
was utilized solely out of Iowa's bullpen after receiving a May 27 promotion -- five days before his 19th birthday -- and went 2-5 with 6 saves and a 3.97 ERA.
picked up his first Iowa victory July 1 at Memphis, pitching 3.0 shutout frames in a 7-5 contest ... hit his first professional homer in the contest (off Dave Wainhouse).
worked at least 3.0 innings in 4 other bullpen outings.
after the season, he was selected as the 7th-best prospect in the Pacific Coast League by Baseball America ... also was chosen to the Howe Sportsdata all-prospect and all-teen teams.
underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee September 20 (Dr. Michael Schafer).
1999
Carlos pitched for his first full-season club, going 13-7 with a 4.17 ERA in 27 games for Lansing (A) ... his team-high victory total tied for 2nd among all Cubs minor league pitchers.
allowed only 9 homers in 153.1 innings of work.
1998
Began his professional career with the Cubs' Mesa (Rookie) club, where he went 0-1 with 1 save and a 3.15 ERA in 14 games (2 starts).
did not allow any homers in 40.0 innings of work.
