MESA, Ariz. (AP) -Carlos Zambrano was in regular season form - when it comes to his antics on the mound.

The emotional Chicago Cubs right-hander pointed to the sky after the first inning and pumped his fist after the second.

He wasn't too bad when he was pitching either, striking out three in two hitless innings for the Cubs in a 9-1 loss to Arizona.

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``I felt good and I am ready to go,' said Zambrano,who walked one. ``I'll have four or five more starts in spring training and I am excited for the season.

``My fastball is back. I lost 10 to 15 pounds and I want to come out of spring training in shape, not that in past years I wasn't in shape, but I want to be in (better) shape and ready to go,' he added.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella was impressed with Zambrano's debut, but he wasn't ready to make any decisions about the opening day starter beyond saying it's between Zambrano and Ryan Dempster.

``We don't have one yet,' Piniella said. ``Let's stretch everyone out and see where everybody is by the middle of March. Right now, I think it is too early.'

Zambrano has made the last four opening day starts for the Cubs, going 0-1 with a 5.57 ERA in those games. There was a time when the idea of someone else getting the start would have caused him to react.

``Whatever he wants to decide,' said Zambrano, who was 14-6 with a 3.91 ERA last season. ``I feel good with (being the) opening day starter, but Dempster had a good year.

``When you have so many years doing the same thing, coming to spring training, you are going to mature.'

Zambrano went 10-3 with a 2.84 ERA before the All-Star break in 2008, but faltered in the second half, going 4-3 with a 5.80 ERA. He then lost Game 2 of the National League division series against the Dodgers, when he gave up seven runs in 6 1-3 innings.

He doesn't expect that drop-off to happen again.

``I think I have to be more in control of the situation and be more focused on what I am doing in the second half,' he said. ``I am going to try my best to have put everything together and have a good second half and work harder and harder.'

Cubs closer candidate Carlos Marmol worked a scoreless inning in his last outing before joining the Dominican team in Florida for the World Baseball Classic.

``I feel and good, and ready to go, and we will see what happens out there,' he said.

Diamondbacks right-hander starter Dan Haren matched Zambrano with two hitless innings, with a walk and two strikeouts.

``Last time out I struggled with my breaking ball, this time I think I threw every one of them for a strike,' Haren said. ``I definitely took a step forward there and building that arm strength. I am heading in the right direction and physically I am feeling really good right now.'

Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder capped a five-run fourth inning with a three-run home run off reliever Mitch Atkins. Diamondbacks shortstop Josh Wilson had three of the team's 12 hits and two RBIs.