Big Z won't go back to back early on
MILWAUKEE — Marlon Byrd has been the Cubs' hottest hitter and leads the team in RBIs, but on Sunday, he had a day to rest.
Rookie Tyler Colvin started in center in place of Byrd, who did not start for only the second time this season. Colvin hit a two-run double in the first inning and a solo homer in the third against the Brewers.
"We said we'd rotate our outfielders a little bit, and that's what we're doing," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.
Byrd will be able to sleep in Monday, as well. The Cubs return home Monday to play their first night game of the season at Wrigley Field, entertaining the Washington Nationals.
Piniella not only wants to give the regulars such as Byrd, Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome a break, but also get Colvin in the lineup. The rookie batted .468 in Spring Training to win a spot on the roster.
"I think [the rest] is making our outfield a whole lot better," Piniella said. "I said we'd give everybody an opportunity and some at-bats and playing time, and that's what we're doing."
Byrd has four straight multihit games, and all but two of his team-high 14 RBIs have come with two outs. Piniella told the center fielder Saturday night about sitting.
"He said, 'You know, I feel pretty good,'" Piniella said. "I said, 'I know that.' It's good that players like to play. I want players who want to play every day, as opposed to guys who are happy that they're not playing."
Big Z won't go back to back early on
MILWAUKEE — Lou Piniella said he would not use Carlos Zambrano in Sunday's game and avoid having the Cubs' new setup man go in back-to-back games until he's pitched a few more times.
"I think we'll probably use Carlos every other day," Piniella said Sunday. "Put it this way: We won't use him back to back until he gets three or four appearances."
Zambrano made his debut in his new role as setup man Saturday night against the Milwaukee Brewers and went 1 1/3 innings in the Cubs' 5-1 win. Piniella asked Zambrano to move from the rotation into the bullpen because the relief corps was young and needed an experienced arm.
"It's best for our baseball team," Piniella said. "As long as he goes out there and gives us the best effort, that's all we can expect."
The sellout crowd at Miller Park roared when Zambrano came out of the bullpen in the seventh inning with two on and two outs to face Rickie Weeks, who tapped a comebacker to the pitcher to end the inning.
"The whole place became electric last night," Piniella said. "I thought they were cheering for me when I went out to the mound. I think they were anticipating the move that was coming."
Zambrano entered the game at the perfect time. He was able to get an at-bat in the Cubs' eighth and hit a sacrifice fly.
"All I can say is I'm appreciative that he's doing it, and at this time it's best for the team," Piniella said.
This isn't the first time Piniella has asked a starter to make the switch. When he was with the New York Yankees, he asked Dave Righetti to move from the rotation to relieving.
"I needed somebody out there to close games for us," Piniella said. "Dave said, 'If it's best for the team, that's what I'm going to do,' and he went out there and saved 45, 46 games."
The Cubs don't need a closer. They have Carlos Marmol, who will definitely benefit having an experienced setup man.
"I've said many times the eighth inning is just as important or more important than closing a baseball game," Piniella said. "If you can't get to the seventh or eighth inning, whoever your closer is is immaterial."
On Saturday, Piniella could use his bullpen the way he wanted, inserting veteran John Grabow, then Zambrano, then Sean Marshall, then Marmol.
"It gives us a totally different perspective and different look in the bullpen," Piniella said. "It'll allow me to use the bullpen better, and at the same time, it'll boost everybody's confidence up. It's got a lot of positive effects for us. Basically, I thought [Zambrano] came in and threw the ball very well last night for the first time he's done this in a long time."
It was Zambrano's first relief appearance since June 2002. It won't be his last.
"The guy's a good pitcher," Piniella said. "You expect him to do well, and he did. This guy's been a top-notch pitcher for a long long time. It's just a little different role."