MESA, Ariz. (AP) -Carlos Zambrano is ready to head to Chicago.

The Cubs ace threw 89 pitches over six innings and gave up two runs, helping the Cubs beat the White Sox 9-4 Friday.

``The only bad thing was that in a couple of innings, I had to rush,' Zambrano said. ``I tried to do too much. Everything went good today, and I'm ready for my next outing, and I'm ready for the season.'

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Zambrano allowed five hits and two walks while striking out three. He will pitch next Wednesday as he tunes up for his opening-day start, April 6 at Houston.

The Cubs scored seven times in the first inning to chase Clayton Richard, who got only one out.

The Cubs sent 11 men to the plate in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano singled to start the inning and drove in a run with a double later in the inning. Derrek Lee had an RBI single in the first, as did Aaron Miles. Backup catcher Koyie Hill added a two-run double against Richard.

``He couldn't find the plate, and when he found the plate, he got hit,' White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ``With the combination of those two things, you're not going to have a good outing. It was the first outing he struggled all spring.'

The Cubs took three of five games between the teams this spring, and they will face each other six times in the regular season.

``It's a nice rivalry, obviously,' Piniella said. ``It's a fun rivalry. Two good teams. People get excited about it in Chicago and rightfully so.'

Guillen agreed.

``I think for the players, the media, the fans, the city, it's great,' Guillen said. ``We both have to deal with different things every day. But to me, it's fun. To see a lot of people in the stands is always good for baseball.'

Miles led the Cubs with three hits and two runs scored. Lee was 2-for-4.

White Sox leadoff man Jerry Owens was 3-for-5. Third baseman Josh Fields was 3-for-4, including a pair of doubles. Brian Anderson, who entered the game in the sixth inning, hit the only homer of the game, a solo shot in the seventh against Angel Guzman.