Alfonso Soriano drives in three runs as Cubs top Giants

Chicago, IL, United States (4E Sports) – Left fielder Alfonso Soriano drove in three runs and Anthony Rizzo added a solo homer to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 6-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants Friday in the opening game of a three-game set at Wrigley Field.

The victory was the Cubs’ first in five meetings against the NL West-leading Giants, who earlier swept Chicago in a four-game series in San Francisco in June.

Soriano hammered an RBI single in the first inning to give the Cubs an early 1-0 lead. In the third frame, Soriano hit his 24th homer of the year – a two-run shot – before the Cubs added two more for a 5-0 lead.

Soriano earlier drew interest from the Giants after clearing waivers recently but the outfielder said San Francisco is far from his family and the weather is cold. Teams had until 10:59 p.m. CT Friday to trade for players to be eligible on the postseason rosters.

Chris Volstad (2-9) pitched 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball with three walks and two strikeouts for his second straight win after a 24-start winless streak. Carlos Marmol tossed a scoreless ninth to keep the Giants at bay after coming to within two runs for his 17th save in 19 changes.

Giants starter Madison Bumgarner (14-9) lasted just four innings after allowing five runs – four earned — on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. It was his shortest outing since his first start of the season.

Joe Mather got things going for the Cubs with a walk before scoring behind Soriano’s RBI single. In the third, Soriano delivered again, driving Bumgarner’s 0-2 pitch out to left with Rizzo at first to give the Cubs a 3-0 cushion.

Welington Castillo brought Starlin Castro home with a double before scoring on an error by catcher Buster Posey to stake the Cubs to a 5-0 edge.

Posey redeemed himself with a RBI double with two outs in the fourth against Volstad, driving in Pablo Sandoval. Rizzo made it a 6-1 game with a leadoff home run in the fifth, but umpires had to check the replay to see that the ball hit the top of the padding infront of the bleachers.

Despite the win, the Cubs closed the month of August at 8-21, their lowest winning percentage in August since going 6-24 (.200) in 1999.

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