It was the first quality start since May 4 for Zambrano. In each of his previous two starts, he had labored in the sixth inning in what were otherwise strong outings.‘‘It’s nothing to worry about — nothing at all that would endanger his next shop online 2011start or anything like that,’’ Hendry said. ‘‘Obviously, he’s throwing the ball well. He’s swinging a bat well.’’Meanwhile, Hendry traded Thursday for journeyman pitcher Rodrigo Lopez, who was 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA for the Atlanta Braves’ Class AAA team.By the time reporters had assembled after the game to talk to Zambrano, he was gone — off to the team doctor’s office downtown to have a ‘‘stiff neck’’ examined.General manager Jim Hendry characterized the issue as ‘‘very insignificant,’’ and a team spokesman said it’s something Zambrano has been working through for ‘‘a while.’’But it’s hard to view a hangnail as insignificant these days when 60 percent of the Cubs’ starting rotation is on the disabled list — especially if the hangnail requires breaking from normal postgame routine to see a doctor. Or if the manager keeps it to himself when discussing Zambrano after the game.‘‘He threw the ball well,’’ manager Mike Quade said. ‘‘We needed that, too.’’The team spokesman said the $19-million-a-year pitcher simply had to rush to meet Dr. Stephen Gryzlo’s office schedule. Three years ago, a ‘‘stiff neck’’ in May for Zambrano turned into two weeks on the DL in June for a sore shoulder. The Cubs insist they’re not concerned about Zambrano (5-2) missing any starts, and he certainly didn’t look compromised during a game in which he struck out five, gave up just one earned run and went 3-for-3 with a double and RBI.Even as the Cubs got a nine-inning coach outlet storereprieve from the doom — if not the gloom of a 42-degree day — they couldn’t keep the drama from swirling around the worst pitching staff in the National League.In fact, right-hander Carlos Zambrano couldn’t escape unscathed on a bitter-cold, gray Thursday afternoon during which he pitched a commanding six innings and banged out three hits to help beat the New York Mets 9-3 and cinch a series win for the Cubs.
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