Cubs 5, Cardinals 0

Hero: Carlos Silva (7-0) continued his amazing run with seven shutout innings. Silva - who exited after 100 pitches - allowed just two hits, struck out 11, and walked none.

Goat: Ryan Theriot went 0-for-5, did not draw a walk, and left five runners stranded on base - including three in scoring position.

Key Play: With the Cubs leading 4-0 in the eighth, the Cardinals mounted a threat. Yadier Molina and Brendan Ryan delivered one-out singles off Sean Marshall. Lou Piniella summoned Carlos Zambrano who needed just two pitches to escape the jam as Nick Stavinoha rolled into a 6-4-3 double play.

Comments: Silva is the first pitcher to win his first seven decisions with the Cubs since Jim Weaver in 1934 . . . Seattle's Milton Bradley is hitting .238 with three homers and 18 RBI.

Next: The Cubs (24-26) will go for the series victory Sunday (CSN/TBS, 1:20 p.m.) when they send Ryan Dempster (3-4, 3.31 ERA) against St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright (6-3, 2.38).