Abbatacola: Zambrano's Arm and Bat Beat The Mets
by Matt Abbatacola
CHICAGO (WSCR) The first pitch was delayed 31 minutes and the gametime temperature was 42 degrees, but the fans that fought through the football-like weather conditions were treated to a special performance by Carlos Zambrano.
Big Z went six innings giving up one earned run on six hits. It was the seventh time this season that he tossed 6 or more innings. Zambrano is 4-0 with a 2.87 ERA in those outings. He threw 100 pitches, but his pitching performance didn't excite the crowd like his hitting. He went 3-for-3 including a double with a run scored and an RBI. It was the 24th multi-hit game of his career.
After the game, Zambrano went to see Dr. Gryzlo with stiffness in his neck. The team orthopaedist wasn't at the park so Zambrano had to go see him which made the pitcher unavailable to the media.
"I don't think it's anything," said GM Jim Hendry, " it's nothing - worry about nothing at all".
Tony Campana got the start in center field and made the most of his opportunity going 3-for-4 with a run scored and three put outs. He led-off the third inning with a single before picked off at first.
Carlos Pena hit his sixth home run of the season and Kosuke Fukudome hit his first. Alfonso Soriano added a two-run double in the Cubs 9-3 victory.
After the game, the Cubs announced they had aquired minor league pitcher, Rodrigo Lopez, from the Atlanta Braves in a trade for pitcher Ryan Butcher. Lopez, 35, started 33 games for Arizona last season finishing at 7-16 with an ERA of 5.00. In the Braves minor league system this season, Lopez was 6-1 with an ERA of 2.59. He will be with the Cubs tomorrow at Wrigley Field as they begin a weekend series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. It is not known what role he will fill for the club. Hendry called Lopez a "swing guy" meaning he can pitch out of the bullpen or start if needed.
The most shocking moment of Quade's post-game press conference came when the manager said, "maybe I overthink stuff".
Doug Davis will start game one against the Pirates.
