The Crosstown Suck
Sox Blank Cubs in Embarrassing Loss

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The big story yesterday, of course, was Carlos Zambrano's Phil Wellman-style freakout. But first, the game: The Cubs were handed their fifth loss in seven games after getting shut out 6-0 and managing only three hits. The lethargic Cubs are now 8.5 games out of first and haven't shown any signs of life in ages. Bright spots? Tom Gorzelanny hasn't forgotten how to pitch since getting demoted to the pen: he came on in relief to pitch 3.1 effective innings, giving up one run on one hit and striking out four. Oh and nobody got hurt... except the Gatorade cooler.

ESPN Chicago: Zambrano implodes before White Sox win 10th in row [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Sox rip Cubs 6-0 for 10th straight victory
Chicago Sun-Times: A Carlost cause
Daily Herald: Big Z implodes as Sox explode for 6-0 win over Cubs
MLB: Cubs lose after Zambrano loses cool [+ video]

Big Z's Big Bang
Zambrano Goes Absolutely Ballistic
Carlos Zambrano was at it again yesterday. After allowing four runs in the first inning, he went nuts in the dugout because he wasn't happy with the Cubs' defense, specifically a Juan Pierre double that made it past Derrek Lee at first base. After the outburst, Piniella pulled him from the game, and the team has suspended him indefinitely. Some people (like Bob Brenly) were excited to finally see some emotion from the listless Cubs, while others thought it was an infantile display of behavior. Could this be the spark the team is looking for, or is this the last straw that gets Big Z shipped out of town for good?

Daily Herald: Hendry, Piniella act swiftly in suspending Zambrano
Chicago Breaking Sports: Cubs suspend Zambrano indefinitely... [+ video]
ESPN: Zambrano's tantrum SOP in Chicago
A League of Her Own: Cubs suspend Z indefinitely, I propose suspending...

Big Z to the Dark Side
Could Ozzie Lure Zambrano to the Sox?
We can all agree on a few things: Zambrano is a little crazy, and White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen talks like a crazy man. So it shouldn't be a total shock to think of Ozzie managing the combustible Cub one day. Ozzie and Big Z are good friends, and the Sox skipper spoke highly of Zambrano despite his embarrassing tantrum, even calling himself Z's mentor. Guillen saved his best quote for last when discussing the Big Z/D-Lee faceoff: "If Don King sees that, he will put that in Vegas. Those are two big boys."

ESPN Chicago: After consoling Z, Ozzie ready to collect
Chicago Sun-Times: Would you want to manage this guy? Ozzie says 'yes I can'

Trading Time
Hendry Not Quitting on Cubs Yet, But Should He?
When does the GM make that crucial call to quit on a season and prepare for the future? The calls are getting louder that it's time for Jim Hendry to trade veterans like Derrek Lee and Ted Lilly to stockpile prospects for the future. Hendry says it's not time yet, but as the title of the Tales from Aisle 424 blog indicates ("Jim Hendry not ready to call team sucky without more analysis"), the masses are getting impatient.

Daily Herald: Hendry not ready to 'sell'; says Cubs not out of race
MLB: Hendry: We need to be consistent
Tales from Aisle 424: Jim Hendry not ready to call team sucky...

Out of His League
Prospect Vitters Struggles at Double-A
When the Cubs tabbed Josh Vitters with the third overall pick of the 2007 MLB draft (11 spots ahead of Atlanta Braves' stud Jason Heyward), everyone had high expectations. He was even called the next A-Rod. These days, he's looking more like the next Lou Montañez. The 20-year-old is now a boy among men at Double-A, where he's hitting just .234 with three home runs. Bleed Cubbie Blue notes that Vitters is still young and has shown more patience at the plate, so it's too soon for us to call him a bust... yet.

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Cubs minor league wrap: June 24

Yesterday was only the second game rookie Starlin Castro didn't start since coming up to the majors... Chad Tracy was designated for assignment to make room for Aramis Ramirez on the roster... Keep an eye out for Cubs' great Ernie Banks at the Gay Pride Parade on Sunday... Secret FBI tapes reveal that embattled former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich tried to send money the Cubs' way in exchange for some positive press.

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