вторник, 13 марта 2012 г.

Piniella appreciates Z's mature reaction

Carlos Zambrano said he was surprised he was asked and doesn't like the idea of being a reliever. But he seems serious about trying to become the setup man Carlos Marmol was the last three seasons.

''I'm not saying that I will be Superman,'' Zambrano said. ''I'm not saying that I will be the best setup man in the business. But I will go out there and give the best that I have to be the best.

''I can be good. I can be great. It's up to me, the challenge, and it's up to what I put in my mind and how I go there.''

To manager Lou Piniella, that might have been the most encouraging aspect of the move.

''He said that he would do what's best for the team, and I'm very appreciative,'' Piniella said. ''You know, he talked about maturing. This proves it to me.''

Asked about the perception that he would be upset at the suggestion of a move to the bullpen, Zambrano said, ''Why? ... I can be the ace in the eighth inning. Why not? Mariano Rivera is the ace on that team, in that category.

''Look, man, I'm not looking for a contract here. I have three more years to put up numbers, and who knows? I may still play baseball; I may not. But this is not my last year of my contract. I just want to get a ring, just want to help this team. And if this is [how to help], I'm here for the team.''

Although Zambrano hasn't pitched as well as the other starters in the rotation, Piniella stressed his performance wasn't the reason he was asked to make the move.

''Absolutely not,'' Piniella said. ''He's throwing the ball well. Opening Day he struggled some, but after that his starts have been good.''

NOTES

Piniella said he has scheduled Ted Lilly's return from shoulder rehab for Saturday in Milwaukee, meaning Ryan Dempster, Lilly and Randy Wells would make up the Cubs' rotation for the three-game series against the Brewers.

- The fourth-inning walk Carlos Silva drew Wednesday was his first since June 20, 2002, when he pitched for Philadelphia.

- Xavier Nady, who still is working back from elbow surgery, was unavailable to start Wednesday against lefty Oliver Perez after making back-to-back starts for the first time this season Sunday and Monday. Piniella said he expects Nady to be available today against lefty Johan Santana.

- Not only was Zambrano willing to go to the bullpen, but Piniella said he also offered to play in the outfield if needed.

''We can double-switch. He'll be the double switch,'' Piniella said.

Comment at suntimes.com.

TONIGHT'S GAME 6:10, Ch. 26, 720-AM

Cubs (6-9) at Mets (6-9)

Tom Gorzelanny

0-1, 1.93 ERA

'09 vs. Mets:

1-0, 0.00 (4 G, 0 GS)

Career vs. Mets:

2-2, 5.68 (4 GS, 8 G)

Mets vs. Gorzelanny

David Wright: 2-for-7, 2 2B

Jose Reyes: 2-for-8, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Jeff Francoeur: 1-for-9, RBI

Luis Castillo: 0-for-3

Fernando Tatis and Angel Pagan:

0-for-1

Johan Santana

1-1, 3.00 ERA

'09 vs. Cubs:

Did not face

Career vs. Cubs:

2-0, 1.71 (2 GS, 5 G)

Cubs vs. Santana

Kosuke Fukudome: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI

Derrek Lee: 2-for-6, 2B, HR

Xavier Nady: 1-for-6

Alfonso Soriano: 0-for-10, 2 BB

Marlon Byrd: 0-for-3, 3 K

Aramis Ramirez: 0-for-4, 2 K

Color Photo: Johan Santana Color Photo: Tom Gorzelanny

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