Tough times for Big Z

Maybe Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano should forget about those extra sit-ups and crunches.

Zambrano, who lost to the New York Mets on Sunday, has been terrible since returning from the disabled list with back spasms. At the time Zambrano went on the disabled list, he said he needed to focus more on working out his abdomen and core muscles to keep his back healthy.

But since Zambrano returned Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, he has allowed 18 hits and 12 runs in 7 2/3 innings. The Cubs have fallen 10 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central race, and the odds of a comeback are next to nothing.

Zambrano is 7-6 with a 3.91 ERA in 22 starts this season. He has won at least 13 games in each of his past six seasons with the Cubs, but that streak will end this year.

-Tom Musick