Z goes from bad to worse
Wrigley Field boos make it a day to forget after a baserunning goof, erratic showing on mound
September 4, 2007
BY TONI GINNETTI
tginnetti@suntimes.com
The good news for the Cubs on Monday was that they kept their lead in the National League Central.
The bad news: Carlos Zambrano and an 11-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers soured everyone from the players on the field to the fans.
As elated as the crowd at Wrigley Field had been Sunday after what manager Lou Piniella called the Cubs' biggest win of the season, it was a house of boos from 41,070 on Labor Day, with most directed at staff ace Zambrano, who gave up eight runs in less than five innings and is winless in his last six starts.
When he walked off in the fifth to a rising chorus of boos, Zambrano removed his cap and pointed at his head. Afterward, he explained his gesture.
''I don't accept the fans booing at me,'' he said. ''I thought these fans were the greatest in baseball, but they showed they just care about themselves. That's not right. When you're struggling, you want to feel support. I'll remember that. I know there will be great moments in my career [to] come.''
Zambrano (14-12) hasn't given fans much to cheer since his last victory July 29. His ERA over his last six starts is an ugly 8.29. He has allowed 31 runs in those starts, with 15 of them coming with two outs in an inning.
On Monday, he also committed a baserunning gaffe, barreling past third-base coach Mike Quade's stop sign in the third while trying to score from first on Alfonso Soriano's double with no outs. Zambrano was an easy out at home, limiting what could have been a big inning to one run.
The Dodgers started rolling after that in the fourth, giving newly acquired pitcher Esteban Loaiza an easy first victory.
''I didn't see [Quade's sign],'' Zambrano said. ''I was thinking about running. That's my fault. I should have stopped. I thought the ball got away from [left fielder] Luis Gonzalez.''
Zambrano accepted blame for his poor performance on the mound as well -- but still questioned the scolding he took from the stands.
''The ball is in my hands,'' he said. ''It's my fault because I'm the pitcher. I'm the one who's supposed to pitch good, especially after my contract [a five-year, $91.5 million extension], and we're in the pennant race. I should do a better job.
''But that's part of the game, and sometimes you struggle, but the good thing is the other pitchers -- Rich Hill and Jason Marquis and Ted Lilly -- are doing good. That's teamwork. I know [Steve] Trachsel will pick me up [today]. That's how you're supposed to play, as a team.
''They [fans] pay to see good pitching, and right now I'm not doing too well,'' he said. ''I just want a little support, that's all. When you're struggling, if you have a brother who's struggling, you show him love. That's what I ask from the fans.''
Zambrano isn't alone in being booed by Cubs fans this season, with Jacque Jones and Ryan Dempster among the other targets earlier.
''I'm not a big fan of the boos at home,'' first baseman Derrek Lee said. ''Z's been so big for this organization. It's hard to hear. Fans are passionate, and they want to win. But they have to understand Z wants to win, too. We all know Z.
''I hope he can forget about it. We've all been booed. You can't let it affect you. I think Z will get it straightened out.''
Zambrano insisted he will, though he admitted he's been his own worst enemy when he loses his composure.
''I have to keep my head up and do a better job,'' he said. ''It's not time to be frustrated. If you get frustrated, you get down. That's when the problem starts.
''It's not only me [who gets booed]. Not everyone is like Carlos Zambrano [and] keeps his head up. Some people on this team who struggle and when they [get] booed, they put their head down. It's happened, and that's not right.
''I think we go out there and try to give the fans a good show and go to the playoffs. That's what we want. No one wants to do a bad job. Every player in that clubhouse wants to do a good job.''
Manager Lou Piniella said he hasn't lost confidence in Zambrano, but he knows the team needs him to turn around to stay in the race.
''I think he's letting things bother him when things aren't going right out there,'' Piniella said. ''He's probably fighting himself. But this one's over. I think from now on you'll see him string some good games, and we need him [to.] He's our No. 1, and he sets the tone.''
DODGERS 11, CUBS 3