CHICAGO — It seems like everyone with the Chicago Cubs has an opinion about what's wrong with Carlos Zambrano.

The results still aren't good for him, though.

Zambrano's velocity was down early, his mechanics were out of whack and his first-inning problems continued in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The Pirates jumped all over Zambrano to take a 3-0 lead in the first.

"It's my opinion that we've got to get him a little closed," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of Zambrano's delivery. "He's got to stay closed longer. I think hitters are getting a pretty good view of him."

Still waiting on a new, multiyear contract, Zambrano (3-3, 5.83 ERA) bristled when asked if he was frustrated with his start.

"It's not frustration," he said. "I don't know that word, for real. It's like when you're married, you don't talk to your wife about divorce."

Jason Bay hit a two-run double in the first and led off the fifth inning with his fifth homer to help the Pirates (15-18) win their first series since they swept the Houston Astros on April 18-20.

Pirates manager Jim Tracy juggled his lineup to try to boost the team's offense. Freddy Sanchez hit leadoff, Jose Bautista hit second for the first time this year and Jack Wilson dropped from second to eighth.

"It's been no secret," Bay said. "Our offense has been lacking lately and pretty much all year. Coming off of a guy like Zambrano, getting us some runs early gave us a cushion."

The Pirates improved to 10-10 on the road. They didn't get their 10th road win until July 7 last year.

The Cubs are just 8-11 at Wrigley Field and went 4-2 on this homestand.

"You've got your ace on the mound and you get a shutout from (Jason) Marquis last night," Piniella said. "You're looking to go 5-1. Before you know it you're down three before the game even starts."

Zambrano gave up four earned runs and seven hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked two.

Paul Maholm (2-4) went 7Z\c innings for the Pirates, allowing four runs and seven hits. He struck out four and walked one. He got the win despite allowing three homers, including a two-run drive by pinch-hitter Michael Barrett with one out in the eighth that cut the Cubs' deficit to 6-4.

"My rhythm was much better," Maholm said. "Everything was in the zone, all four pitches were in the zone. A couple of the home runs were me just challenging them and they got the good part of the bat on it."

Salomon Torres pitched a perfect ninth for his 11th save in 14 chances.

Zambrano needed 35 pitches to get out of the first. He hit Sanchez with a pitch to start the game and gave up a double to Bautista. Bay then dropped in a hit in front of charging right fielder Matt Murton. Bay scored on Xavier Nady's sacrifice fly.

"We caught a couple of breaks, but our club deserves to catch a couple of breaks," Tracy said.