CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

“It was a disappointing situation and we’ll let things take their course now,” manager Mike Quade said Friday before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

“That’s it, let’s see where the grievance situation goes. They’ve made decisions and that’s where we’re at now.”

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

Asked whether Zambrano can still be a winning pitcher in the major leagues, Quade said: “He was. Depending on how this plays out, he’s still got something to offer. The numbers bear that out.”

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday that they will pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there is insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss in to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones. He says he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.”

The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said the right-hander would receive no pay and have no part in team activi ties for 30 days.

Chicago Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss in to Atlanta on Aug. 12. (Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press)

Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the off-season.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

“It was a disappointing situation and we’ll let things take their course now,” manager Mike Quade said Friday before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

“That’s it, let’s see where the grievance situation goes. They’ve made decisions and that’s where we’re at now.”

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defence against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counselling, returned to the team and pitched well.

Asked whether Zambrano can still be a winning pitcher in the major leagues, Quade said: “He was. Depending on how this plays out, he’s still got something to offer. The numbers bear that out.”

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million US deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career earned-run average after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

Against the judgment of any sane baseball fan, I’ve stood up for Carlos Zambrano in the past.

To me, the hotheaded Cubs pitcher was vindicated of his tantrums by the numbers he put up — and in some cases, I could maybe understand where he rants were coming from, such as his criticism of the team after allowing two straight walk-off home runs by Chicago Public Enemy No. 1, Albert Pujols.

Even when Zambrano underwent anger management in an attempt to curb his violent temper, I was on his side, thinking the baseball world would soon see a kinder, gentler Big Z.

Bzzzzzzt! Wrong!

To say Friday’s performance in Atlanta was a nightmare would be an understatement. Zambrano gave up five home runs to the Braves before deciding he’d had enough.

So what did he do? In a true show of class, he intentionally threw inside to Chipper Jones — twice — drawing an ejection.

Astute viewers noted that Zambrano didn’t argue the call. Odd, considering this is a player known to tell umpires they should be ejected.

After calmly walking to the dugout, Zambrano headed down to the Cubs clubhouse, cleaned out his locker and told teammates he was retired.

Ta-da!

If you didn’t think Zambrano could have sullied his own reputation any more, well you were dead wrong.

Cubs manager Mike Quade ripped Big Z apart in the press. No one knew if he was serious until the next day, when his agent announced that haha, just kidding, Zambrano’s still in.

Guess again, the Cubs front office said, putting Zambrano on the 30-day disqualified list, a month-long suspension without pay.

The Cubs have put up with a lot from Big Z. They stood by him with the temper tantrums and forgave him when he ranted about the team’s performance to the press.

But this could be the last straw.

A 30-day suspension is a gift from the Cubs front office — which is saying something, considering it’s the most the team could do without cutting ties with Zambrano altogether.

Come 2012, don’t be surprised to see Zambrano waving goodbye to Wrigley, taking his bloated $18 million per year contract with him to whoever is crazy enough to sign him.

Which is to say, he might not even land anywhere. Sure, he’s a halfway decent pitcher, and a surprisingly good hitter, but his clubhouse presence rivals Milton Bradley’s, and I think we all remember how that experiment worked out.

Similarly, Zambrano is one player Cubs fans won’t miss, and if the front office plans on showing any shred of competence, it will oblige the Chicago faithful and send Big Z packing.

Dylan Polk is The Courier’s sports editor.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Chicago Cubs refused to be distracted after teammate Carlos Zambrano was placed on the disqualified list Saturday.

The focused Cubs took care of business with an 8-4 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night to continue their recent strong play. Chicago has won 10 of 13.

Manager Mike Quade said he wasn’t surprised when his team responded to the controversy with a win.

“You know what? I’m never surprised at these guys,” Quade said. “They just come to the park and play.

“They just go about their business. And that’s a good thing. No distractions. Let’s just play.”

Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney each had four hits and Carlos Pena had a two-run double.

Atlanta’s Dan Uggla had two hits, including a homer, to extend his hitting streak to 33 games, the longest in the majors this season.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Zambrano would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and left the team after giving up five homers and being ejected from Friday night’s 10-4 loss to the Braves. He did not return to the team Saturday.

Hendry said Saturday that Zambrano’s actions were “intolerable.”

“This was the most stringent penalty we could enforce without a release,” Hendry said.

Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster had similarly strong words.

“He’s made his bed. Let him sleep in it,” Dempster said.

“It’s not like it’s something new.”

Randy Wells (4-4) gave up two runs on eight hits in five-plus innings.

Distractions?

“Just a normal day,” Wells said. “Try to forget about last night.

“I haven’t heard the whole story. I’ve tried to stay out of it. I really don’t even feel comfortable talking about it. I don’t know the details.”

Derek Lowe (7-11) gave up five runs on 10 hits in six innings. He allowed three hits, including Pena’s two-run double that gave Chicago a 3-1 lead in the fifth.

James Russell walked Uggla to load the bases with one out in the ninth after giving up singles to Martin Prado and Freddie Freeman.

Quade brought in closer Carlos Marmol, who gave up a long fly ball to Chipper Jones to drive in Prado before ending the game when Alex Gonzalez hit a pop fly to Castro at shortstop. Marmol earned his 27th save.

The Cubs added two runs in the sixth. Tyler Colvin led off with a triple to center. Atlanta’s Michael Bourn had the long drive in the top of his glove before losing the ball when he crashed into the wall.

Colvin scored on Geovany Soto’s grounder to third. Chipper Jones threw high to the plate and was initially charged with an error. After the game, Soto was awarded an RBI when the error was changed to a fielder’s choice grounder. Soto scored on Castro’s single.

A fielding miscue by left fielder Martin Prado hurt the Braves in the eighth. After Alfonso Soriano led off the inning with an infield hit, Colvin hit a liner that skipped off the charging Prado’s glove for an error, allowing pinch-runner Tony Campana to advance to third.

Right-hander Cristhian Martinez fielded pinch-hitter Blake DeWitt’s grounder and threw to the plate, but Campana slid under Ross’ tag. Castro and Barney added run-scoring singles.

Hendry said Major League Baseball and the players’ association would discuss Zambrano’s statements about his baseball future.

Quade said Friday night that Zambrano told team personnel he might retire.

Asked if he knew where Zambrano was on Saturday, Hendry said: “I have no idea.”

Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez said Zambrano would be welcomed back by his teammates, but only if he made changes.

“If he changes his attitude, he’s more than welcome,” Ramirez said.

“He’s got to think a little bit more. He’s one man. It’s not just one time. A lot of people have tried to help him. He won’t let them.”

Zambrano was placed on the restricted list for six weeks and sent to anger management last season after a verbal altercation with then-teammate Derrek Lee.

In 2009, he was suspended following a tirade against an umpire in which he threw a baseball into the outfield and slammed his glove against the dugout fence.

In 2007, Zambrano signed a deal adding $91.5 million over five seasons through 2012. He was to earn $17.85 million this season and $18 million in 2012.

He is 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA.

A message was left Saturday seeking comment from Barry Praver, Zambrano’s agent. Hendry said Praver indicated Zambrano is not retiring.

The Cubs did not immediately announce a corresponding roster move for Zambrano. The team will need a starting pitcher for his next scheduled turn in the rotation Wednesday at Houston.

NOTES: The Braves had a pregame video tribute for former radio and TV broadcaster Ernie Johnson Sr., who died Friday night at the age of 87. Johnson was involved with the team for more than 50 years as a player, executive and broadcaster. … A collection of players from the Braves’ 1991 NL championship team took a 7-7 tie in a softball game against former Braves players from other years. John Smoltz hit a two-run homer and made an over-the-shoulder catch in center field for the 1991 team, which was managed by Bobby Cox. Many of the players attended Friday night’s ceremony to retire Cox’s No. 6. … Braves rookie Brandon Beachy will try for his sixth win against Chicago’s Matt Garza in Sunday’s final game of the series. Garza will be making his first career start against Atlanta, and Beachy will make his first start against the Cubs. … Braves C Brian McCann expects to return from a strained left oblique injury Sunday. He played his second rehab game with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. … Castro matched his career high with his four hits

___

AP freelance writer Amy Jinkner-Lloyd in Atlanta contributed to this report.

CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano homered and pitched six solid innings, and the streaking Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 11-4 on Saturday.

The Cubs pounded Reds starter Johnny Cueto for five runs and seven hits in 3 2-3 innings and have won seven straight games for the first time since Aug. 23-29, 2008.

Starlin Castro drove in four runs for Chicago, his highest RBI total since he drove in six in his major league debut May 5, 2010. He doubled and singled, raising his NL-best hit total to 148.

Carlos Pena doubled twice, walked, was hit by a pitch and drove in three runs for Chicago. Aramis Ramirez reached base four times on two singles, a walk and a hit by pitch and scored twice.

Alfonso Soriano also was on base four times and scored twice. He singled, doubled and drew a pair of walks. Reed Johnson singled, doubled and scored three runs.

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips had to leave the game with a sprained right ankle after colliding with center fielder Drew Stubbs in the fourth. Phillips was able to finish the inning but was removed for pinch-hitter Todd Frazier in the fifth.

Zambrano (9-6) overcome early control problems. He allowed six hits and four walks and struck out six. One of the top hitting pitchers, Zambrano’s solo homer in the third opened the scoring for Chicago and gave him seven career homers against Cincinnati.

Cueto (7-5) hadn’t allowed more than three earned runs over a span of 17 starts dating to last season but allowed season highs in hits and runs. The homer he allowed to Zambrano ended a streak of six starts without a long ball.

Yonder Alonso drove in two runs and hit his first major league homer for the Reds, who have lost four of five and 11 of their last 15 on the road.

Both pitchers started the game off with control problems. After retiring the first two Reds, Zambrano walked the bases full before striking out Miguel Cairo to end the threat.

In the bottom of the first, Cueto hit Ramirez and Pena with two outs, but got Marlon Byrd on a groundout to escape the inning unscathed.

None of the seven baserunners the starters allowed in the first two innings reached via a hit. Edgar Renteria snapped the string with a leadoff single in the third. He scored Cairo’s two-out bloop single to right. That was followed by Alonso’s solid run-scoring single to left.

Cueto entered the game with a 1.72 ERA and had allowed just one run over his last 20 innings but the Cubs responded to their early deficit by jumping on the hard-throwing righty and knocking him out of the game before could escape the fourth.

Zambrano started the rally by golfing a low pitch well into the right-field bleachers for his second homer of the season. It was the 23rd career homer for Zambrano, moving him into a tie with Walter Johnson for ninth on the all-time list for home runs as a pitcher.

Cueto allowed seven hits, five runs, three walks, a homer, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch in 3 2-3 innings, striking out two.

The Cubs broke the game open in the fifth with five runs against Cincinnati reliever Sam LeCure.

The Reds matched their season high by committing three errors in the game.

NOTES: Tony Campana wasn’t in the Cubs’ lineup one day after his career-best game on Friday that featured three hits and his first career home run. Manager Mike Quade said that he’ll continue using Campana as a bench player and occasional starter for the time being. After wavering slightly in his pregame talk with the media on Friday, Quade said that Rodrigo Lopez will make his next start despite his poor recent outings in which he’s allowed 12 runs in 8 1-3 innings. Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman had a streak of 10 1-3 hitless innings snapped on Friday. It was the longest such streak by a Reds reliever since Chuck McElroy had 11 1-3 hitless innings from April 25 to May 17, 1994. Reds manager Dusty Baker said Chapman wasn’t even aware that he had a streak going. Chris Heisey was held out of the Reds’ lineup for the third straight game because of a sore oblique muscle caused by a batting practice swing Wednesday in Houston. Baker said that the team is not yet thinking of placing Heisey on the disabled list, but he wasn’t sure when he would be able to return to action. The Cubs and Reds wrap up their three-game weekend series on Sunday. Bronson Arroyo will start for Cincinnati looking for his first win since June 25. He’s 0-3 with three no decisions over that stretch. He’s fared well at Wrigley Field, however, going 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA over his last five starts there. Randy Wells will take the mound for Chicago. He’s 4-1 with a 2.96 ERA lifetime against the Reds, but he’s struggled overall this season, having allowed a home run in 10 of his 13 starts. Zambrano has now driven in a run at the plate and earned a victory in the same game 38 time in his career, breaking a tie with Washington’s Livan Hernandez for the most among active players.

CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago Cubs are giving their fans a glimpse of what the season could have been.

Zambrano homered and pitched six solid innings, and the streaking Cubs beat Johnny Cueto and the Cincinnati Reds 11-4 on Saturday for their seventh straight win.

“We’ve be playing outstanding the last (seven) games, ” Zambrano said. “We’ve been doing the right things, playing good defense. We’ve been doing the things everybody was expecting from us. That’s what this team is capable of. We have a good team.”

The Cubs pounded Cueto for five runs and seven hits in 3 2-3 innings and have won seven in a row for the first time since Aug. 23-29, 2008.

“When you’re up against Cueto, you probably figure it’s not going to be the kind of day we had,” Cubs manager Mike Quade said. “(Cueto) kind makes it tougher. (Zambrano) was great.”

Cueto (7-5) hadn’t allowed more than three earned runs over a span of 17 starts dating to last season but allowed season highs in hits and runs. The homer he allowed to Zambrano ended a streak of six starts without a long ball.

“(Cueto) wasn’t sharp,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He wasn’t sharp early in the count. We were hoping he would get sharp like he can sometimes. But he was spinning off and missing the outside part of the plate.”

Starlin Castro drove in four runs for Chicago, his highest RBI total since he drove in six in his major league debut May 5, 2010. He doubled and singled, raising his NL-best hit total to 148.

“(Castro is) playing great,” Quade said. “(I am) looking to give him a day off, but not right now.”

Carlos Pena doubled twice, walked, was hit by a pitch and drove in three runs for Chicago. Aramis Ramirez reached base four times on two singles, a walk and a hit by pitch and scored twice. Pena said it was the Cubs’ collective approach that allowed them to get to Cueto.

“He gets a lot of hitters to chase and we were able to lay off some pitches, get on base and get the big hit,” Pena said. “It was just a good approach overall.”

Alfonso Soriano also was on base four times and scored twice. He singled, doubled and drew a pair of walks. Reed Johnson singled, doubled and scored three runs. Johnson said everything is coming a little easier for the disappointing Cubs, who fell to 23 games under .500 before embarking on their current streak.

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips had to leave the game with a sprained right ankle after colliding with center fielder Drew Stubbs in the fourth. Phillips was able to finish the inning but was removed for pinch-hitter Todd Frazier in the fifth.

“That was a blessing that my foot was in the air a little bit and I had on the rubber cleats today,” Phillips said. “If I had on my metal cleats today, I probably would have been done. I work on that play every day. I knew I was going to catch it, I just have to work on getting hit.

“I’m feeling all right, he added. “I was just talking to the doc, he said just to make sure I don’t sit around, just make sure you walk around a little bit and keep your foot elevated.”

Zambrano (9-6) overcome early control problems. He allowed six hits and four walks and struck out six. One of the top hitting pitchers, Zambrano’s solo homer in the third opened the scoring for Chicago and gave him seven career homers against Cincinnati.

“It was a good pitch to hit and thank god I was able to crush it,” Zambrano said.

Yonder Alonso drove in two runs and hit his first major league homer for the Reds, who have lost four of five and 11 of their last 15 on the road.

“It’s nice to get that home run so it’s not a ’0′ anymore, it’s a ’1′ in there,” Alonso said.

Cueto has baffled National League hitters recently with a revamped delivery on which he twists his body in a manner similar to former Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant. The Cubs were seeing his new approach for the first time on Saturday but thrived anyway.

“You see that from some Japanese pitchers,” Johnson said. “(Hideo) Nomo was a little bit more extreme than that. It’s tough from a timing standpoint. You’ve got to see it a couple of times because last time we saw him, he wasn’t like that.”

Cueto allowed seven hits, five runs, three walks, a homer, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch in 3 2-3 innings, striking out two.

Postgame talk in the Cubs clubhouse focused on a home run for the second straight day. On Friday, speedy Tony Campana legged out an inside-the-park homer, his first major league home run. Zambrano’s majestic shot on Saturday couldn’t have been more different.

“I’m no Campana,” Zambrano said. “I’m a big man, I’m supposed to hit the ball with authority. Inside-the-park, I’m going to leave it to Campana.”

It was the 23rd career homer for Zambrano, moving him into a tie with Walter Johnson for ninth on the all-time list for home runs as a pitcher.

“Every time you win, it’s fun,” Pena said. “We’ve been winning so it’s been a blast. Everything feels just a little bit lighter.”

NOTES: Campana wasn’t in the Cubs’ lineup one day after his career-best game on Friday. Quade said that he’ll continue using Campana as a bench player and occasional starter for the time being. … After wavering slightly in his pregame talk with the media on Friday, Quade said that Rodrigo Lopez will make his next start despite his poor recent outings in which he’s allowed 12 runs in 8 1-3 innings. … Chris Heisey was held out of the Reds’ lineup for the third straight game because of a sore oblique muscle caused by a swing in batting practice Wednesday in Houston. The Reds said he would likely be placed on the DL Sunday. … Zambrano has now driven in a run and earned a victory in the same game 38 time in his career, breaking a tie with Washington’s Livan Hernandez for the most among active players.