Diamondbacks open series with 6-1 win over Cubs

By John Marshall

Associated Press

Published: Friday, June 22 2012 10:55 p.m. MDT

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Chicago Cubs' Jeff Samardzija throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning in a baseball game on Friday, June 22, 2012, in Phoenix.

Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press

Summary

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 Chicago Cubs on Friday night.

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 Chicago 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.

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