NL Report: Rich Hill for the Cy Young? Cubs Fans Must Think So

Hey, maybe the Cubs do have a Cy Young candidate on their pitching staff. And, holy cow, it's not Carlos Zambrano.

Try 27-year-old Rich Hill, who couldn't win the fifth starter's job last year but has managed to turn himself into a victory machine this time around. On Thursday, Hill blanked the Braves on four hits through eight innings as Chicago bested the Atlanta Braves, 3-0, in the finale of a brief two-game series at Turner Field.

The Cubs paid out at -131 on the moneyline and covered against the spread of 1.5 runs.

Hill (3-0), who struck out seven and walked three, also retired 12 Braves in a row between the second and sixth innings. As a result of the whitewash, his ERA dropped to a minuscule 0.41 in 2007. Since Sept. 1, he is 6-1 with a 1.24 ERA.

"He's pitching as well as anybody in baseball," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.

Ryan Dempster retired the side in order in the ninth to record his third save. Michael Barrett and Aramis Ramirez had solo home runs for the Cubs, who earned a split in the series and ended a two-game losing streak.

Mark Redman (0-3) gave up seven hits and three runs, fanning five and walking a pair in 7.1 innings.

In other National League games on Thursday:

Philadelphia 4, Washington 2: Jamie Moyer pitched eight-plus innings, yielding two runs on four hits with five strikeouts to lead the Phillies at RFK Stadium. Shane Victorino finished 3-for-5 with one RBI and a run scored and Aaron Rowand homered for the Phillies, who halted a two-game skid. First baseman Ryan Howard, who is hitting just .213 with one home run and seven RBIs, sat out the game because of a sprained ligament in his left knee.

Milwaukee 7, Pittsburgh 5: J.J. Hardy went 3-for-5, ripping a two-run home run and driving in four runs, as the favored Brewers swept the two-game set at home. Francisco Cordero retired the Pirates in order in the ninth to earn his fifth save. Zach Duke (1-2) was shelled, allowing 11 hits and seven runs in four innings of work for the Pirates.

Los Angeles 8, Colorado 1: Jeff Kent drove in a pair of runs, and Mark Hendrickson pitched five-plus innings in his first start of the season for the visiting Dodgers. Kent finished 3-for-4 with a two-run double and two runs scored for the Dodgers, who have won four of five games.

San Diego 11, Arizona 6: Rob Bowen homered and had career highs in RBIs (3) and runs scored (3) as the Padres outslugged the visiting Diamondbacks. Jake Peavy (3-0) got the win despite allowing five runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out eight. Peavy, however, was very effective at the plate. The San Diego ace knocked in two runs with his first career triple and added a double.

San Francisco 6, St. Louis 2: Ryan Klesko went 3-for-4, drove in two runs and scored once as the Giants completed a two-game sweep at home. Noah Lowry (1-2) scattered four hits and allowed two runs while striking out four and walking two in seven innings.

New York Mets 11, Florida 3: Orlando Hernandez tossed seven solid innings for the visiting Mets. Hernandez (2-1) allowed just two runs - one earned - on three hits with a pair of walks. The Mets paid out at -144 straight up but bettors who took them against the spread of 1.5 runs were rewarded at even money. Carlos Beltran, Ramon Castro and Jose Valentin all homered for New York, which has won three straight and five of six.

Houston 8, Cincinnati 6: Luke Scott hit a three-run double in the eighth and scored the go-ahead run on a Morgan Ensberg sacrifice fly as the Astros rallied for the win. Houston backers got a nice payday at +149 on the moneyline.

For complete MLB lines for the weekend, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.

PHOTO: Rich Hill of the Cubs has dropped his ERA to 0.47 during the first month of the season. (AI Wire photo)