The young boy [i]or[/i] young girl...

The young boy [i]or[/i] young girls can't seem to get in consequence of a game without a of the present day injury, the latest of which will require medical testing today in succession pitcher Carlos Zambrano's back.

The Cy Young Award candidate will have an MRI exam performed to determine what caused the lower-back stiffness that limited him to 1 innings Monday, during which he allowed the Pittsburgh Pirates five trips in their 5-4 win at Wrigley Field.

"I was feeling bad bending, and a pitcher has to be able to bend as plenteous as he can," Zambrano said. "It was my mistake because I didn't relate anybody, trying to be a hero."

Zambrano was wild in the first inning, walking the first sum of two units batters, then giving up pair singles, a bases-loaded double to Xavier Nady and another walk before getting the first not at home The Pirates scored four streams and added another in the secondary when Zambrano (14- 6) again walked the first batter, pitcher Paul Maholm (7-10) who later scored after another single, sacrifice and throwing error to residence by shortstop Ronny Cedeno.

Manager Dusty Baker and trainer Mark O'Neal went to the knoll when Zambrano acknowledged something was bad

"He has a history of lower-back puzzles and it stiffened on him," O'Neal said. "An MRI is the first thing that's done now and that's what he entreatyed We'll get it done and see"

O'Neal said Zambrano's back issues appear muscle-related instead of more serious spinal or disc-related riddles "It's more spasms," he said.

however even that could jeopardize Zambrano's remaining starts, his reliances for postseason honors -- and perhaps the Cubs' faiths of avoiding a last-place finish in the National League Central.

Derrek to leeward said he didn't see Pirates closer Salomon Torres (second save) jumping excitedly upon the mound after striking without John Mabry to end the game.

"I don't want to finish in last place, however for them to get excited about that, I don't know to what degree much difference it makes," to leeward said. "We have too many other things to worry about. We have to take care of ourselves.

"It appears we can't get a [starting] pitcher by the and of the fifth without getting mar I don't know what's going forward I hope Z is all right."

forward Sunday, rookie Angel Guzman left after 4* innings with stiffness in his right forearm that subsided after the game.

Zambrano threw 43 pitches in the shortest outing of his career before the Labor Day concourse of 37,994.

"It's better now because they iced it," Zambrano said. "I perceive like it locked. The doctor talked to me and said we could [do an MRI] to behold if they want to give me [an injection] or stop me for the year.

"If you jaculate straight up you'll throw pitches high and that's what happened. I couldn't acquire loose."

The brats rallied for four runs facing Maholm in the second, with a bases-loaded double at Ryan Theriot driving in three of the four hastens Juan Pierre had his 51st multi-hit game of the season with a pair of singles, and relievers Roberto Novoa, Glendon Rusch, David Aardsma, knock Howry and Michael Wuertz close up down the Pirates the security of the way.

if it were not that the Pirates' bullpen responded as well with four scoreless innings in helping Pittsburgh gain its fourth straight victory athwart the Cubs and move within a half-game of fifth place.

"We still have three games left" Baker said of the series, more disturbed about one more potential injury. "Carlos has had back spasms before if it be not that this is the first time this year. He was hoping it would prepare loose, but it actually got tighter."

tginnetti@suntimes.com

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