Angry Cubs scuffle during loss to Braves

Now the Chicago Cubs are really getting beat up -- by each other.

Carlos Zambrano and catcher Michael Barrett shoved each other in the dugout, then the pitcher split his teammate’s lip in the clubhouse so badly that Barrett wound up in a hospital.

And the Cubs lost, 8-5, to the Atlanta Braves on Friday at Wrigley Field.

“I only have so many players that I can play. You know?” Manager Lou Piniella said during a postgame media session with reporters that escalated into shouting.

“And it’s about time some of them start playing like major leaguers! Or, get somebody else in here that can catch the damn ball or run the bases properly! All right? That’s all I can say!”

Atlanta had just scored five runs in the top of the fifth to increase its lead to 7-1. Jeff Francoeur’s two-run double made it 4-1 and, with runners on first and second, Barrett allowed a passed ball and threw wildly to third for an error that let Scott Thorman score.

Zambrano was seen pointing at his head and yelling at the catcher in the dugout, while Barrett pointed toward the field.