Chris Rusin implodes, Diamondbacks roll Cubs 14-4

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Samardzija threw three innings of one-run ball, but left-hander Chris Rusin allowed four home runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks cruised to a 14-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday afternoon at Salt River Fields.

Rusin (3-3, 7.45) allowed nine runs in 2 2/3 innings as the Cubs (12-19) pitching staff gave up 20 hits.

D-backs’ (13-9) Martin Prado scored on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Pollock after reaching on a single against Samardzija for a 1-0 lead in the second.

Samardzija bounced back with two strikeouts and a rare walk.

The Cubs took the lead in the fourth with a Mike Olt RBI ground out, followed by a Wellington Castillo RBI single. The lead was short-lived as Mark Trumbo hit the first of four home runs off of Rusin, putting them up 3-2.

The D-backs added two more in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead. Mike Olt knocked in his second run of the game in the sixth, as he looks to grab an opening day roster spot following today’s release of Donnie Murphy.

The wheels then came off in the sixth for Rusin. First a two-run shot by Chris Owings, followed later in the inning by solo home runs from  Jordan Parraz and Brandon Jacobs. When the dust settled and the line was official,  2 2/3 innings, 10 hits, and nine runs, all earned.

Brandon McCarthy (2-0, 2.70) picked up the win for the Diamondacks. McCarthy pitched six solid innings, surrendering three runs on six hits, while striking out six.

These final games of camp will be crucial to some of the players remaining as they battle for the final spots left. The Cubs organization was clear today with the cuts made that nothing is guaranteed.

The Cubs return to Cubs Park tomorrow to hopefully break some more Cactus league attendance records as they host the White Sox at 3:05 ET.