Zambrano takes the fight out of Brewers

MILWAUKEE — Carlos Zambrano controlled his temper and his pitches.

After a meltdown in his previous start that included a fight with his catcher, Zambrano struck out a season-high nine and led the Chicago Cubs over the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-2, on Wednesday.

Going into this game, Zambrano said he told himself, “Tomorrow is the season opening, opening night for you. Forget about anything else.”

Last week, Zambrano (6-5) gave up a career-high 13 hits against Atlanta and got into a dugout skirmish with Michael Barrett. The hostilities continued in the clubhouse, and Barrett sustained a cut lip and went to a hospital for stitches.

“It was a bad feeling the next day. Believe me, it was a bad feeling,” Zambrano said. “That was in the past, and now we have to move on.”

Barrett got the day off after playing Tuesday.

After initially saying he didn’t want to talk about turmoil, Zambrano said that he was still friends with Barrett.

“He called me ‘brother’ and I called him ‘brother,’ ” Zambrano said of their tearful meeting before the series started in Milwaukee. “We forgive each other, and we’re back on track.”

Zambrano threw 117 pitches, 77 for strikes, and gave up five hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings.