Big Z Leads Cubs Over Reds
Carlos Zambrano has come out of games because he’s thrown too many pitches, because he’s given up too many runs, and even because of cramps caused by either too much time on the computer or dehydration.
However, on Thursday, the problem was a cracked molar.
“I’ve been out to the mound many times to check pitchers’ injuries,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of a visit in the fifth inning, “but never for a cracked molar. We needed a dentist.”
Zambrano spit out the tooth and stayed in the game. He didn’t need much help as he almost single-handedly beat the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2. The right-hander hit his fourth home run, and gave up one run over seven innings for the win, ending his three-game winless streak. On Friday, he’ll get his tooth fixed.
It was just another “Cubby occurrence,” a phenomenon Piniella has discovered in his nearly two years in Chicago, whether referring to the Cubs players or fans in the stands with Chicago Cubs merchandise.
“That was a first for me and a first for the umpires,” Piniella said.
The Cubs had not been worried about Zambrano’s oral hygiene lately, just his pitching mechanics. He was winless in three August starts, and had been rushing his delivery. Against the Reds, he was back in sync, and the Cubs were able to win their seventh straight series.