One Carlos performed. The other did not.

Arizona got a lot from a little. The Chicago Cubs got a little from a lot.

And so the Chicago Cubs run for a World Series crown began, dropping a 3-1 decision to Arizona in last night’s opening game of the NLDS. With the exception of Carlos Zambrano, who pitched his AZ off, it was an uninspired effort from the Cubbies, who looked as if they were playing in the All-Star game instead of playing in a Division Series.

The Cubs offense managed just four hits off of Arizona’s Brandon Webb, and almost stranded as many runners (9) as both teams’ combined hits (10). Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the Cubs power outage was that they faced a sub-par Webb.

The likely Cy Young award winner went deep into counts throughout his seven innings of work and as an added bonus issued more walks than Zambrano, who led the National League in that category during the regular season. Paradise may not have been lost on this opening night, but opportunity certainly was missed.

Yes, it was a perplexing evening of Chicago Cub baseball. But then again, this is the Cubs and it is October. It’s as unlikely of a pairing as a duet between Kid Rock and the late Pavorotti.

To add to the perplexity, Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella made a pair of decisions that will likely be analyzed and scrutinized if the Cubs falter. Oddly enough, both involved Zambrano. In the fifth with Ryan Theriot on second and no outs, Piniella elected to let Zambrano hit rather than bunt. Zambrano lined out to shortstop and neither Alfonso Soriano nor Jacque Jones could advance Theriot.

Then in the sixth and with the scored tied at 1-1, Piniella yanked Zambrano after 85 pitches. It would have been an easier decision to make had the Cubs been leading at the time.

”I can’t be accused of anything here, sir,” said Piniella. ”I’ve got a good bullpen here. I trust my bullpen. I’m bringing back a pitcher on three days’ rest [in Game 4] on Sunday. I’ve got confidence in my bullpen. I took a shot, and it didn’t work. Period, end of story.”

It’s the end of the story for now. But if the Chicago Cubs don’t make it to Game Four, there’ll be a lot of splainin’ to do, Lou, see?