Carlos Zambrano picked up his first career opening day win as he pitched six innings and the Cubs beat the Houston Astros 4-2. What a way to start off the 2009 season for Zambrano and the Cubs!

Alfonso Soriano started off the game with a solo home run and Aramis Ramirez matched him in the second inning with a solo shot of his own as the Cubs went up 2-0. Ryan Theriot knocked in his cajan connection buddy Mike Fontenot in the fourth inning as the Cubs added to the lead to make it 3-0. Utlity lefty Micah Hoffpauir playing in front of his family knocked in a big run in the ninth inning with a sharp single to right field that plated Fontenot.

Big Zambrano was pretty dominate in his six innings of action as he only allowed five hits and one run. He struck out six batters while walking three. After a lead off walk to start the game, Zambrano settled down and gave the team a great outing.

Aaron Heilman and Neal Cotts were able to get out of the seventh inning with only allowing the run to score that was charged to Zambrano. Both players did a great job before the turned things over to Carlos Marmol in the eighth inning who walked one but did not allow him to score. In the ninth inning, new closer Kevin Gregg ran into some trouble as he allowed one run and and the tieing run at the plate, but he was able to get pitch hitter Jason Smith to ground out to Derrek Lee to end the game.

Overall, I thought it was a good first game for the Cubs. Now they have the jitters out of the way and can settle down as they take on the Astros again tomorrow night. Ryan Dempster will get the start against Wandy Rodriguez as the Cubs try to pick up another win down in Houston.

What were your thoughts on the first game of the season?

**Photo via the AP/Pat Sullivan**