Back-to-back homers lift Cubs past Arizona 7-0

Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers, Kevin Gausman gave up just three hits over seven innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0 on Monday night.

The Cubs moved to 5 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central lead. The Brewers were off Monday.

Conforto and Kelly hit their homers off reliever Taylor Clarke with two outs in the sixth, breaking open a tight game.

That was plenty of support for Gausman (2-1), who cruised through the D-backs’ lineup, needing just 94 pitches to complete his seven innings. The right-hander gave up three hits and a walk while striking out six in his best outing for the Cubs since being acquired at the trade deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays.

D-backs right-hander Merrill Kelly (8-12) gave up three runs on five hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four.

Arizona managed just five hits — all of them singles. 

The D-backs send RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.39 ERA) on Tuesday against Cubs RHP Clay Holmes (5-6, 2.49).


(AP Photo Ross D. Franklin)