Randy Wells made his best case for NL Rookie of
the Year, firing seven shutout innings while fanning a career-high 10 in the
Cubs' 5-0 blanking of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.
Wells (12-10), 27, has been a surprise bright spot in a disapponting Cubs
season and allowed just three hits and a walk to finish his first full season
with a 3.05 earned run average.
Geovany Soto added two hits, two walks and two runs batted in for Chicago,
which snapped a three-game losing streak. Reed Johnson had a two-run triple in
the win.
Daniel Cabrera (0-6) made his first start for the Diamondbacks and allowed
three runs on four hits and three walks in five frames. Arizona has lost four
of its last five.
The Cubs jumped in front with three runs in the fourth. Aramis Ramirez drew a
one-out walk, and Jeff Baker followed with a double to right. Johnson then
gave Chicago a two-run lead with a triple and scored on Soto's double.
With Bryan Augenstein on the mound in the sixth for Arizona, Chicago added two
more runs. Ramirez singled, and Baker drew a walk. Johnson grounded into a
fielder's choice for a first-and-third situation, then Soto and Tyler Colvin
followed with back-to-back run-scoring singles for a 5-0 cushion.
Meanwhile, Wells dominated. After allowing a double from Stephen Drew to lead
off the game, Wells set down the next 14 hitters, including striking out the
side in the third. In the seven innings he pitched, he never allowed a runner
to reach third base.
Esmailin Caridad pitched a scoreless eighth for the Cubs to bridge the gap to
Carlos Marmol, who secured Chicago's win with a perfect ninth.
Game Notes
Wells' 27 starts are the most for a Cubs rookie since Mike Harkey in
1990...Arizona still leads the season series, 3-2...Cabrera had made five
relief appearances for the Diamondbacks and allowed five runs in six innings.
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