Zambrano gets big win in the clutch

Maybe Carlos Zambrano felt a bit jealous when manager Lou Piniella referred to Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee as the Cubs' big-game people Saturday.

Or maybe Zambrano just figured it was time for him to step up and deliver Sunday in a game of major importance.

Whatever Zambrano used to motivate himself worked, as his 6 shutout innings went a long way in helping the Cubs complete the sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with an 8-0 victory at Wrigley Field, bumping their lead in the National League Central to 3½ games over Milwaukee.

"It was good to come today and stand up and win this important game for the team," Zambrano said after winning his career-best 17th game of the season.

But as is often the case whenever Zambrano pitches, there was a sidebar to his strong effort.

The right-hander couldn't start the seventh inning because of cramping in his right forearm and legs and had to leave the game.

It was at least the second time in his last 4 starts that Zambrano has been bothered by cramps. When it first happened, he was told to drink more fluids during the course of the game, and Zambrano claimed he had been doing that.

"We've got to figure out what's causing that," Piniella said. "I don't know if it's water; I don't know what it is."

Zambrano first felt the cramping while running the bases in the bottom of the sixth. He doubled with one out and raced home from second -- this time with the OK of third-base coach Mike Quade -- on Mark DeRosa's single.

"A month ago I had the same thing and I had to take care of that, and now I have to do the same thing and start drinking more Gatorade, water, or whatever I have to do to solve the problem," Zambrano said.

"I've been drinking a lot of water since it happened the last time, but today was hot and humid. I think I was able to keep pitching, but it was enough, and six innings was good. We didn't want anything major to happen."

Zambrano gave up 3 singles, an infield hit and struck out six. He struck out the side in the first inning, pumping his fist high into the air after catching Freddy Sanchez looking for the third out as the throng of 41,364 roared.

"You could tell right away 'Z' had his good stuff," said Derrek Lee. "We knew they were going to have a hard time scoring runs, so we knew if we could get some runs early and let 'Z' relax, it would be a good day for us."

After looking fidgety in Piniella's opinion in his last start Tuesday against Cincinnati on three days' rest, Zambrano was in charge Sunday from the start.

"He was assertive from the first pitch of the game," Piniella said. "He got himself in a rhythm and was consistently throwing the ball in that 93- to 95-mile-per-hour range, which is what you like to see from him."

Zambrano made it a point to slow himself down and not get too caught up in his emotions.

"I wanted to pitch this game and I wanted to do something for the team," Zambrano said. "I think I learned something today. Anytime you can come with that mentality and you feel good, you're going to have good games. I went out there and was throwing my sinker, I was throwing everything with all my heart."