ATLANTA — Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade said pitcher Carlos Zambrano cleaned out his locker and “walked out” on the team after giving up five homers in Friday night’s 10-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Quade said Zambrano was talking about ending his playing career.
“I’m really disappointed,” Quade said. “His locker is empty. He walked out on 24 guys … I don’t know where he’s gone or what he’s doing.
“He’s talking about retiring … but I can’t have a guy walking out on 24 guys.”
Zambrano was ejected by plate umpire Tim Timmons in the fifth inning after throwing two inside pitches to Chipper Jones, the second going all the way to the backstop. The brushback pitches followed homers by Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla.
Jones and Jose Constanza also connected against Zambrano (9-7), who gave up eight runs and eight hits. The five homers allowed set a career high.
Quade said he didn’t talk with Zambrano.
“I’m running a ballgame and I’ve got 24 guys I care about, so I didn’t have time to speak to him,” Quade said. “I come in here and I see an empty locker. I figure he’s decided he’s had enough.”
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