6/6 Z & Marmol OK after comments

Carlos Zambrano apologized Monday to teammate Carlos Marmol after criticizing the closer’s pitch selection. Big Z said he was frustrated with the way the Cubs have been playing and added there’s still time to turn the season around.

“It’s over,” Marmol said Monday. “You’ve got to move on. It doesn’t bother me. He apologized to me and we’re friends and that’s not going to change things. It’s in the past.”

The reaction to Zambrano’s rant surprised the pitcher.

“What’s the big deal about this?” Zambrano said. “I said what I said yesterday because I was frustrated. At the same time, we’re a team. We’re grown men and I know when I make a mistake. I came to Marmol today before anybody talked to me and I talked to him and apologized to him about the comment I said.

“Like I said yesterday, we all need to get better,” Zambrano said. “That’s my point. In a moment of frustration yesterday made me say what I said.”

The Cubs are 2-9 in their last 11 games, and have lost a season-high six straight. They’re 11 games under .500, a season low, and are coming off a series sweep by the National League Central leaders, the Cardinals. Did Zambrano think someone needed to say something to wake up the Cubs?

“Somebody has to say something,” Zambrano said. “It doesn’t have to be me because every time I open my mouth it’s obviously a big thing.”

– Carrie Muskat