PHOENIX -- Here’s a quick look at the Arizona Diamondbacks' 10-5 win over the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field on Saturday.
What it means: After taking two of three games from the White Sox earlier this week, the Cubs were attempting to win back-to-back road series for the first time since Aug. 29-Sept. 11 of last year, when they beat the Giants and the Mets. However, the Diamondbacks have already clinched the three-game set with wins in the first two games heading into Sunday's finale. Chicago has the worst record in baseball at 24-47.
Outside the box: Castro’s considerable offensive prowess was on display again, as he finished 4-for-5 to raise his batting average to .308 on the season. The team’s star shortstop is 13-for-27 in his past six games after his average dipped to .291 on June 16. However, he hasn’t taken a walk since June 2 and Castro has only six walks in 308 plate appearances on the season. While his batting average is 13th in the National League, his on-base percentage of .321 is only two percentage points above the major league average.
Play of the game: Maholm hit his second career home run, a two-run shot to right field, to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth. Maholm was 1-for-25 with 16 strikeouts this season prior to that at-bat. His first career home run came on May 9, 2009. He became the first Cubs pitcher to homer since Carlos Zambrano did so on Aug. 6, 2011.
Up next: The three-game series will wrap up at 3:10 p.m. CT on Sunday at Chase Field. Cubs RHP Matt Garza (3-5, 4.07 ERA) is expected to face Diamondbacks LHP Wade Miley (8-3, 2.30 ERA).




