The Diamondbacks continue their road scoring struggles as they lose to the Chicago Cubs 3-1 in the final game of their three-game series at Wrigley Field. Coming into the game, the Diamondbacks have averaged 5.1 runs per game at home, and only 3.6 runs per game on the road. The D-backs have lost three consecutive games since the All-Star break, and were outscored by the Cubs 15-3 in the series. With the win, the Cubs have evened the season series with the D-backs at three games apiece.
Trevor Cahill started on the mound for the Diamondbacks, and went 5 2/3 innings. Cahill is known as a slow starter and averages a 6.88 ERA in the first inning. Although he only allowed four hits, Cahill struggled with his control early on. Cahill walked the Cubs leadoff batter David DeJesus to start the game. After a wild pitch advanced DeJesus to second, Anthony Rizzo hit a line drive to right field, scoring DeJesus, and giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead.
In the second inning, Cahill again walked the leadoff batter. The walk came back to haunt Cahill, as Darwin Barney hit his fourth home run of the season down the left field line, scoring two. Barney's homer gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead, which was more than enough to hold off the Diamondbacks. This was the eighth home run Cahill has given up in his last five starts.
After giving up three runs in the first two innings, Cahill settled down and put out 12 of the next 13 Cubs batters. After Cahill walked Anthony Rizzo for his third walk of the game, and Alfonso Soriano followed with a single to left field with one out in the sixth, Cahill was pulled for Craig Breslow. Breslow, Bryan Shaw, and J.J. Putz shut out the Cubs the remainder of the game.
The Diamondbacks ended the game with seven hits, but left 13 runners on base. They were shut down by Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza, who threw seven complete innings, striking out seven D-backs. The Diamondbacks never really threatened until Aaron Hill homered to left field off of relief pitcher Shawn Camp with two outs in the top of the eighth inning. That would be the only run the D-backs could generate on the day, as their offense continues to struggle.
The Diamondbacks will head to the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati for a four-game set against the Reds before heading back home.