|
 Arrieta drilled a two-run home run in the second inning and won
his 13th straight decision over two seasons in the Cubs' 7-3 victory
over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Arrieta's homer was measured at 442 feet, according to ESPN Stats
and Info.
"That one felt pretty nice," Arrieta said. "It felt like hitting it
off the sweet spot on a 7-iron. Just took a nice easy swing.
Fortunately I was able to get the ball in the air and get us on the
board early."
Paul Goldschmidt and rookie Socrates Brito each had two hits and a
homer for Arizona (2-5), and Jake Lamb contributed two hits and an
RBI.
Arrieta homered on the eighth pitch of his at-bat against Arizona
right-hander Shelby Miller (0-1), all fastballs.
"I was ready," he said. "I can hit a fastball. I can't hit much
else. I put a lot of effort into hitting. For me, I just want be on
time. Try to provide some support in situations like that."
 Jorge Soler hit his first homer of the season off Miller to break a
tie at 3 in the sixth inning and Arrieta (2-0) gave up three runs
and eight hits in seven innings. He struck out six without issuing a
walk. He has not lost since July 25, 2015.
"Overall his stuff was outstanding," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
"That at-bat was really good. Man, that ball was crushed. It really
was uplifting for us."
Arrieta had two homers last season, including one in his penultimate
regular-season start.
"That's a little tactical error," Arizona manager said of feeding
Arrieta all fastballs. "You have to realize some of these pitchers
can hit."
The Cubs (5-1) added three runs in the final three innings for their
third victory in the four-game series.
Tommy La Stella had three hits and an RBI in his first start of the
season and Miguel Montero added two doubles and an RBI for the Cubs,
who play their home opener Monday against the Cincinnati Reds.
"It's kind of what you live for, starting a season off like we have
and then going home to play in front of your home crowd," Arrieta
said.
Goldschmidt's homer leading off the fourth inning made it 3-1 and
broke Arrieta's 32-inning streak of scoreless innings in the regular
season.
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Lamb singled home David Peralta to make it 3-2 later in the fourth
inning, and Arizona tied it on Brito's first career home run in the
fifth.
Miller (0-1) gave up four runs and seven hits in five-plus innings.
He was lifted after Soler homered and La Stella singled to open the
sixth. Miller has given up five homers in 11 innings.
"I felt good," Miller said. "Just figure out a way to keep the ball
in the ballpark here."
Soler has three homers in 12 career at-bats against Miller.
"Just kept carrying," Miller said. "It's definitely a hitter's park,
there is no doubt about that. Everybody knows that. That's just an
excuse. You have to make pitches regardless."
Arizona starters had a 7.96 ERA in the seven-game homestand, giving
up 33 earned runs in 37 1/3 innings.
NOTES: Cubs CF Dexter Fowler was given his first day off Sunday. RF
Jason Heyward moved from right field to center, 3B/OF Kris Bryant
moved to right field, and 2B/3B Tommy La Stella made his first start
of the season, at 3B. "I want to try to find spots for these guys,"
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Fowler hit safely in the first five
games and reached base in 15 of his first 24 plate appearances. ...
Arizona RHP Zack Greinke gave up 11 runs in his first two starts,
more than he had allowed in consecutive starts since the middle of
the 2011 season, when he yielded 12 runs in two games. "It has to be
better," Greinke said. ... Arizona 2B Jean Segura and SS Nick Ahmed
did not start for the first time this season, and regulars LF
Yasmany Tomas and C Welington Castillo also got a start off. The
D-backs have a day off Monday. 2B Phil Gosselin made his first start
of the season.
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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