Groan up, not grown up

Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano wasn't in a good mood before Tuesday night's game.

''[Bleep]ing reporters,'' he said as he walked through the cramped locker room.

Maybe Zambrano was just trying to pump himself up for the game? If that was the case, he needs to find a new strategy. After taking the mound for the first time in nearly a month, he failed to make it out of the fifth inning. On the plus side, Zambrano briefly helped his own cause with a solo home run. He just might be the best hitter on the Cubs. Unfortunately, he isn't paid to hit.

I'm not suggesting Zambrano's pregame mood had anything to do with his struggles on the mound. It's likely that rustiness …