Pushing for the playoffs, Cubs manager Lou Piniella went with some risky strategy by calling on ace Carlos Zambrano to pitch on three days’ rest, hoping to shape his rotation for the rest of the season.The results Tuesday night were not encouraging for Chicago, which plans to bring back Ted Lilly on short rest Wednesday.

Zambrano was — in Piniella’s words — “fidgety” in the first three innings as the Cubs fell in a hole and then fell out of first place after a 5-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds and their ace right-hander Aaron Harang.

“My first two or three innings I was too rushed. I have to be in control of that situation there, but I felt good,” Zambrano said.

“I mean I was trying not to make a mistake. Harang was good today. Somebody had to win.”