Samardzija slump continues as Cubs lose to D-Backs

PHOENIX—Jason Kubel hit a two-run homer and five relievers filled in for scratched starter Joe Saunders to lift the Arizona Diamondback to a 6-1 win over the Cubs on Friday night.Saunders had trouble getting loose in the bullpen, so the Diamondbacks turned to one-time starter Josh Collmenter. He gave up a long homer to Geovany Soto in the fourth and Brad Ziegler (4-1) followed with two scoreless innings.David Hernandez escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and pitched a perfect ninth to finish off his second save and Arizona’s eighth victory in nine home games.Jeff Samardzija (5-6) gave up a two-run triple to Miguel Montero after Kubel’s homer and the Cubs stranded 11 runners during their sixth loss in nine games.