Zambrano Pivotal in Cubs’ Rare Sweep

CHICAGO —  Carlos Zambrano’s pledge to himself and his teammates is a simple one: Pitch and play like you’ve still got a chance.

It would take one of the great miracles in baseball history to get the Chicago Cubs to the postseason. But they have played better in the last week, and Sunday completed a rare four-game sweep of first-place St. Louis behind Zambrano as the Cubs beat the Cardinals, 6-3.

“I am one of the guys that thinks you never have to give up,” Zambrano said after outpitching Chris Carpenter to win his ninth straight decision.

The Cubs (43-61) own their first four-game winning streak since capturing five straight last July.

Chicago’s first four-game sweep of the Cardinals at Wrigley Field since 1972 left the Cardinals 0-7 this season at the Cubs’ park. The Cubs swept a three-game home series from the Cardinals in April. Zambrano (12-3) has not lost since May 31.