Chicago Cubs top D-Backs 5-1, Travis Wood impressive on mound, at plate

Apr 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher

rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Sometimes when you want something done, you just have to do it yourself. Travis Wood (1-2) pitched seven stellar innings, and then eliminated any worry about run-support by knocking in four including a 3-run home run as the Chicago Cubs (6-12) defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1.

On a rainy night in Chicago that delayed the start by almost an hour, Wood didn’t appear to miss a beat as he tied a career high in strikeouts with nine and held the D-Backs (5-17) to one run on a home run from Paul Goldschmidt.

The Cubs struck first in the second as Wellington Castillo drove in Starlin Castro to give them a 1-0 lead. Two batters later wood hit a no-doubter into the left field stands for a three-run home run. In five seasons in the big leagues, Wood has homered in each one.

Wood would add another RBI in the fourth as he doubled over the head of Tony Campana to give the Cubs a 5-0 lead.

Bronson Arroyo (1-2) pitched 5 1/3 innings for the D-Backs, allowing five runs while taking the loss. Manager Kirk Gibson made the pitching change as Travis Wood came to the plate with the bases loaded in the sixth.

The ninth had a little excitement as Pedro Strop had a pitch go behind Miguel Montero that drew a stare from Montero, and warnings issued from home-plate umpire D.J. Reyburn. The game ended with a Cubs victory, and without further incident as Campana grounded out to Castro to end the game.

Tomorrow’s game is another 8:05 ET start, as the Cubs Jason Hammel (2-1, 3.05) takes on Arizona’s Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 7.11)