Right-hander played 9 seasons

Geremi Gonzalez, 33, a pitcher for five major league teams who won 11 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1997, was killed by lightning Sunday at a beach in his native Venezuela.

A right-handed pitcher, Gonzalez was born Jan. 8, 1975, in Maracaibo, Venezuela. He played in the majors from 1997 to 2006 and appeared in 131 games with 83 starts, compiling a 30-35 record.

His career was marred by arm trouble. After playing with the Cubs in 1997 and 1998, he was out of the big leagues until 2003, when he played for Tampa Bay.

In addition to the Cubs, who signed him as an amateur free agent in 1991, and Tampa Bay, Gonzalez pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets.

The Toronto Blue Jays released him during spring training last year. Gonzalez then moved to Japan and pitched in five games for the Yomiuri Giants.