Zambrano returns to rare form, Cubs blow past Brewers 6-2

A fuse was lit and seems to have fired up the Cubs ace. After the heated nonsense incident in the Cubs dugout and clubhouse over the weekend, Carlos Zambrano put his energy to good use. Going 6.2 innings Wednesday night at Miller Park he allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks with 9 strikeouts. If Carlos is injured he's doing one hell of a job of fooling everybody. It was probably personal issues bothering him, nothing to do with his mechanics.

Felix Pie hit a three-run homer, going 3-for-5 in the game with 3 runs scored. I think only good things will happen for the offense when Soriano and Pie are in the lineup. The Cubs are in dire need of such speed on the base paths. I think it's a good idea to have the young outfield prospect leading off and have Alfonso in the no. 2 hole. I've said it a few times before the star slugger will be more productive at this spot.

The bullpen is looking much improved from previous weeks. I think I'm sold on the idea of having Carlos Marmol enter the game in middle relief. He's been effective, which is all that matters. Ryan Dempster was great last night too. He spread goose eggs on the scoreboard in the 9th. Everything went well until Aramis Ramirez left the game with a strained knee after reaching on an error at first base in the 2nd inning. This sounds minor and shouldn't cause him to miss no more than 2 or 3 games if that.

Well, it looks as if Zambrano has his head and focus back in the game. Apparently, Michael Barrett and him have made amends. I'm amazed at this guy. He has a prior bad start then rebounds with a sound pitching performance for his 6th win plus comes through with 2 hits and a RBI! Few pitchers in the league can hit and pitch this well. The Cubs need such an advantage on the club all season. They're only 6.5 games in back of first in the scuffling Central. It's so important that they make a run before the All-Star break. At that point it won't be a time to slouch behind. I look for further progress in the upcoming series at Turner Field.