D-Backs Double-Trouble for Cubs

PHOENIX—Three double plays, including one for the final two outs, earned the Arizona Diamondbacks a 4-3 win over the Cubs and a split of a four-game series. Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz,formerly of the White Sox, got out of a runners-at-the-corners, one-out jam after a leadoff double, a deep fly ball from Carlos Pena caught in front of the right-field fence, a walk and pinch hitter Jeff Baker grounding into the double play. A visit at the mound with catcher Miguel Montero produced an agreed-upon first-pitch slider, and the plan worked.Montero going from first to third on a single and Ryan Roberts breaking for home and scoring on a safety squeeze bunt in the Diamondbacks’ three-run fourth inning were keys to the win.Daniel Hudson (2-4) pitched seven solid innings won his second straight start after allowing three runs against Philadelphia April 26. He gave up three runs and eight hits.The Diamondbacks scored three runs in the fourth inning on a balk, sacrifice bunt and wild pitch. Cubs starter Casey Coleman balked home the first run with Montero on third. Then, with runners at first and third and one out, Hudson laid down a bunt and Roberts beat the throw home. The third run scored when the bases were loaded and Coleman (1-2) uncorked a wild pitch allowing Gerardo Parra to score. He had been intentionally walked. Coleman (1-2) allowed four runs and four hits in five innings. Trailing 4-1, the Cubs rallied in the seventh as Geovany Soto had a two-run double after Marlon Byrd singled and Pena walked. Soto was left stranded at third, as Hudson retired pinch-hitter Tyler Colvin on a comebacker to the mound.Alfonso Soriano led off the second inning with a double, then eventually scored on a groundout by Pena. The Diamondbacks tied it at 1 with Roberts’ sixth home run of the season in the bottom of the second. David Hernandez and Putz each threw a scoreless inning for Arizona, Putz earning his sixth save.

NOTES—Soriano hit a home run Saturday night at Chase Field that was estimated to have traveled 461 feet. It hit the facade of the scoreboard/video board in straightaway center field.