Diamondbacks end slump at Cubs' expense
PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks broke out of their offensive funk with three regulars on the bench during a 10-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, and Arizona manager Kirk Gibson had a simple reason for shaking up the lineup.
"You can't count on the same guys all the time," Gibson said.
Surprise starter Eric Chavez and A.J. Pollock drove in three runs apiece, and Patrick Corbin became the third National League pitcher reach to 12 wins.
Chavez, starting against a left-hander for the first time this season, tripled home one run and scored another in a three-run sixth inning off Cubs starter Travis Wood (6-7). He also singled home two runs in a three-run seventh that gave the Diamondbacks a 7-1 lead.
"We want to push runs whenever we can. We talked about not giving away at-bats. Fortunately I got a pitch I could handle," Chavez said of his triple to left-center field. "I've been trying to use the field the whole year, and I just stayed with that approach."
The D-backs (52-48) scored one more run than they had in their previous five games, and they won for the third time in the last four. Their 14 hits were a high since a 7-5 victory at New York on July 4, a game that went 15 innings.
"Real good with guys in scoring position. Drove the ball in the gaps. Just kind of played an aggressive game," Gibson said.
Pollock doubled to drive in the first run of the sixth inning and tripled in two runs in a three-run eighth inning as the D-backs scored nine runs in their final three offensive innings after being no-hit for the first three. Pollock leads major league rookies with 24 doubles.
Leadoff man Adam Eaton had three singles and scored three runs, and Martin Prado had two hits, including his ninth home run, and two RBIs.
Corbin (12-1) gave up one run and four hits while striking out six in six innings. He joined Adam Wainwright (13-5) and Jordan Zimmermann (12-5) as the winningest NL pitchers.
Corbin made his first start since July 12, his only work since then coming when he went one inning in the All-Star Game a week ago.
"I felt great, just left some pitches up," he said. "For all that layoff, maybe it was something I had to deal with. But my body felt great."
Nate Schierholtz hit a two-run, pinch home run in the eighth inning for the Cubs (44-54), who have lost four of their last six.
Cubs rookie center fielder Junior Lake had three hits, including his second home run in as many games in the ninth inning. He is 12-for-22 (.545) in his first five games after being recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Friday.
"He is playing as well as anybody can imagine for coming up for five games now. He has done a great job. Every at-bat has been quality," said Cubs manager Dale Sveum, who was ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Dana DeMuth after Cody Ransom was called out on strikes to end the third inning.
Wood gave up eight hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings. He singled to open the third and scored on Anthony Rizzo's single to center field to make it 1-0.
Prado's homer with one out in the fifth tied the score at 1.
"The first five looked pretty good. Unfortunately they kind of figured me out and they were able to put up three more," in the sixth, Wood said.
NOTES: LF Alfonso Soriano said his agent has been told the New York Yankees made contact with the Cubs regarding trade discussions but that no one from the Chicago front office has spoken to him. "If it is getting closer, I'll think about it. Now, there is nothing to think about it," said Soriano, who as a player with 10-5 rights can veto any trade. Soriano said he would not be averse to being used as a DH if he were traded to an American League team. ... Arizona RHP Ian Kennedy will make his ninth attempt at career victory No. 50 when he faces the Cubs on Wednesday. Kennedy (3-7) posted his last victory against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 1. He is 0-4 with a 6.11 ERA in his eight appearances since then, although the Diamondbacks have scored only 11 runs while he has been in the game in those outings. ... Arizona RHP Trevor Cahill threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is scheduled to start a rookie-level Arizona League game Thursday, Gibson said. Cahill has been on the disabled list with a right hip contusion since July 1. He was struck by a line drive on June 19 and made two ineffective starts after that before being shut down. ... Cubs OF Cole Gillespie, a former Diamondback, made a running catch to take at least a double away from Pollock in the first inning. Gillespie ran into the bullpen fence in deep right field after making the catch, his second good defensive play in two games.
