GIANTS lose to Cubbies 7-5

Bullpen surrenders game late

Chris Haft - MLB.com

Cubs at the plate: Matt Murton's eighth-inning sacrifice fly broke a 4-4 tie after Derrek Lee's two-run, fifth-inning homer snapped a 2-2 deadlock. Geovany Soto drove in two runs with a third-inning homer and a fourth-inning single.

Giants at the plate: With the Cubs leading 4-2, Rich Aurilia's seventh-inning double pulled the Giants even, but Fred Lewis was thrown out at the plate. Randy Winn singled in the first inning and homered in the third to drive in a pair of runs.

Cubs on the mound: Rich Hill, the No. 4 starter in Chicago's rotation, allowed two runs and five hits and concluded his five-inning outing by striking out the side.

Giants on the mound: No. 5 starter Jonathan Sanchez struck out seven in five innings, but also allowed four runs and eight hits. Relievers Tyler Walker and Brian Wilson, expected to be San Francisco's top late-inning combo, combined to allow three runs in the eighth and ninth.

Cactus League records: Cubs 13-14-1; Giants 8-20-2.

Cubs up next: Carlos Zambrano will make his final spring start on Wednesday at 3:05 p.m. CT when he faces the Angels in Tempe. Zambrano, the Opening Day starter, has walked three and given up eight hits in 15 innings so far while striking out 14. After this, Big Z's next game will be Monday at Wrigley Field against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Giants up next: The Giants travel to Fresno, where an overflow crowd is expected to watch them confront their Triple-A club on Wednesday night at 6:05 p.m. PT. Opening Day starter Barry Zito will make his final exhibition tuneup against fellow left-hander Patrick Misch.