Diamondbacks, Haren rout Cubs 7-2

[April 28, 2009]  PHOENIX (AP) -- Dan Haren threw a three-hitter and broke open the game with a two-run double, and the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-2 on Monday night.

Haren (2-3) tossed his seventh complete game, his second with Arizona.

Chris Snyder hit his first homer for the Diamondbacks, who won consecutive games for the first time this season.

Alfonso Soriano led off the game by hitting a 1-1 pitch into the front row of the second deck in left field, his 52nd leadoff homer, third all-time behind Rickey Henderson (81) and Craig Biggio (53).

Haren retired 22 of the next 23 batters, with only a single by pitcher Ted Lilly (2-2) breaking up the string of outs. Mike Fontenot ended a 10-pitch battle in the eighth by hitting a 3-2 pitch deep into the seats in right. Haren struck out 10 and didn't walk a batter.

Haren broke up a 1-all tie in the fourth. Batting with two outs and the bases loaded, Haren hit a chopper down the left field line to score two runs.

Chris Young followed with a two-run double to give Arizona a 5-1 lead.

It was an unusual outburst for Arizona, which entered with a major league-worst .225 batting average and .298 on-base percentage, and had more strikeouts (136) than hits (133).

Haren wasn't used to such support as the Diamondbacks had a total of three runs in his first four starts.

While Haren dominated, Lilly had trouble commanding his breaking ball. When the Diamondbacks hit the lefty, they hit him hard, with a homer and four doubles.

Lilly left after five innings, allowing five runs and six hits, walking four and striking out three.

Notes: The Diamondbacks stole five bases -- one fewer than they swiped in their first 18 games combined. ... The Cubs had three errors and fell to 0-7 when they commit an error. ... Chicago OF Milton Bradley, who has had a groin injury, may be in the lineup on Tuesday, Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. ... Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol, who has a sprained left knee, threw in the bullpen before the game. "He was absolutely perfect," Piniella said. "We just want to make sure there's no discomfort tomorrow, or any swelling, and if there isn't he'll be able to go (Tuesday) night." ... Cubs 1B Derrek Lee sat out with neck spasms.

[Associated Press; By ANDREW BAGNATO]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.