Chicago Cubs Recap: Arrieta hits two-run homer in 7-3 series win over Arizona

Before the Chicago Cubs return home to Wrigley Field tomorrow evening, right-hander Jake Arrieta took the mound with the series on the line. It was a heated battle between Arrieta and Shelby Miller as both starters surrendered a couple of homers.

After suffering a walk-off loss at the hands of left fielder Yasmany Tomas on Saturday, Joe Maddon‘s boys fired back with an offensive explosion Sunday afternoon. While right-hander Arrieta helped out his own cause, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt got the best of him by launching a solo home run early on, ending his scoreless inning streak.

It has been awhile since Arrieta (2-0, 1.93 ERA) started out the afternoon with three shutout innings until Arizona (2-5) jumped all over him during the bottom of the fourth inning. It all started with Goldschmidt’s second home run of the season that was hammered to left field. The three-time All-Star recorded two RBI in yesterday’s victory.

Before Arrieta’s streak was snapped, the 30-year-old right-hander crushed a two-run homer to left center field during the top of the second off his counterpart. Veteran catcher Miguel Montero, who trotted around the bases along with Arrieta, put himself in scoring position with his second double of the young campaign.

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Aside from the fact that Jake’s homer traveled an estimated 440 ft., what should stand out is the at-bat itself. Miller (0-1, 8.18) threw eight pitches in that at-bat alone but his 92 miles per hour fastball was the money ball for Arrieta.

Last season’s N.L. Cy Young winner held the Diamondbacks to three earned runs on eight hits while striking out six. Center fielder Socrates Brito accounted for the second and final homer given up by Arrieta and it just so happened to be his first career long ball.

Moments after Brito tied things up at three apiece, left fielder Jorge Soler connected on a third pitch cutter for his first home run of the season to lead off the top of the sixth inning. Soler has tagged the 25-year-old Miller three years in a row. First, it was with the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and now the Diamondbacks.

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The Cubs (5-1) kicked it into second gear by scoring a combined three runs in the seventh and eighth inning of the ballgame thanks to a sacrifice fly by Soler and RBI base knocks courtesy of Tommy La Stella and Jason Heyward. La Stella had himself a great day at the plate, finishing the afternoon 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Next up, the Chicago Cubs will return home to Wrigley Field as the Cincinnati Reds roll into town. Tomorrow night will be a southpaw battle as Jon Lester goes head-to-head with 22-year-old Brandon Finnegan.