One that got away from Cubs, Zambrano

Maybe it's time for another do-over for Carlos Zambrano.

The Cubs certainly aren't getting a do-over on Zambrano's five-year, $91.5 million contract extension. Since Zambrano signed on the dotted line, he has lost 3 straight starts, including Wednesday night's 6-1 drubbing at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Zambrano's troubles, however, started before the already-rich pitcher became even richer on Aug. 17.

For the entire month of August, Zambrano is riding a four-game losing streak and didn't win in 5 starts. His ERA for August is a feverish 7.14.

Cubs manager wants Zambrano to find a cure, and soon.

"You know, I'm waiting for the guy that won nine in a row earlier in the year," Lou Piniella said, citing a stretch from June 6-July 29, when Zambrano actually went 9-2. "I don't know what the problem is, but he certainly hasn't been pitching like he was when he was on that streak."

Zambrano heard the message from his manager and sent one back.

"He will," Zambrano said of Piniella seeing the winning Zambrano. "He will see the same Zambrano (that) was in June and July. Any pitcher can be in tough situations during the season. Obviously, this is an OK season for me.

"It's nothing you can do about it. Just go out there and try to pitch the game and do the best you can to win the ballgame and to get this team to the playoffs."

The first-place Cubs (67-64) allowed the Brewers (66-66) to creep within 1½ games in the National League Central. St. Louis (64-65) lost at Houston and held at 2 back.

Zambrano didn't get much help, either from his offense or his defense. The Cubs were facing Brewers ace Ben Sheets (11-4), who hadn't started since July 14 because of a sprained finger.

Sheets showed no signs of distress, holding the Cubs to 6 hits and 1 run in 6 relatively easy innings.

"It's a really good boost getting Benny back every five days," Milwaukee manager Ned Yost said. "It settles down the pitching staff big time."

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the third. They loaded the bases with one out but got only a sacrifice fly from Aramis Ramirez.

"We're not executing offensively when we get chances," Piniella said. "I've said it many times: You've got to put 5 or 6 runs on the board with consistency if you want to win up here. In 3 of our last 4 losses, we've scored a grand total of 1 run (in each loss). That's not going to get it done, period."

The Brewers scored single runs in the fourth and fifth and blew it open in the seventh with 4. With one out, Rickie singled. Gabe Gross grounded to second baseman Mark DeRosa, who turned and fired to shortstop Ryan Theriot. But Theriot missed the ball for an error.

Prince Fielder singled, and Piniella left Zambrano in, citing his earlier success against Ryan Braun. Braun was the one with success this time, as he doubled home 2 runs. Geoff Jenkins followed with a 2-run single off Scott Eyre.

Theriot owned up to the error, saying the game "wasn't my best."

"A lot of things are happening at once," Theriot said. "You're trying to catch the ball, (trying to see) where the runners were. I guess maybe I should have stayed behind the base a little bit more. But he might have broke my leg if I'd have done that.

"It's just a tough read right there. There's no excuse. You've got to figure out a way to catch that ball and stay on the base."