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Andrew Cashner made his first start for the Cubs after beating out Carlos Silva for the 5^th spot in the rotation in spring training. Cashner pitched well allowing 1 earned run in 5 1/3 innings leaving the game in line for a win with a 4-1 lead in the 6th.

Unfortunately the bullpen lost the lead when Willie Bloomquist hit a 2-run single to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the 7^th.

The Cubs fought back to grab a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the 7^th on an RBI double by Marlon Byrd and a bases loaded walk by Tyler Colvin.

Sean Marshall closed out the game for in lieu of the resting Carlos Marmol was not available after pitching the previous 3 games.

The win ups the Cubs record to 3-2 on the season and the Diamondbacks drop to 1-3.

Thoughts from the game

Positive

1. In his first Major League start Andrew Cashner pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing 2 hits 1 walk and 1 earned run.
2. Tyler Colvin drove in 3 runs with a 3^rd inning 2-run homer and a 7^th inning bases loaded walk.
3. Marlon Byrd went 3-4 and drove in the go ahead run in the bottom of the 7^th inning.
4. Sean Marshall earned the save in lieu of Carlos Marmol who had pitched the previous 3 games.

Negatives

1. Jeff Samaedzija had another tough outing pitching allowing 2 earned runs on 2 walks in 1 inning upping his ERA to 9.00
2. The bullpen blew a 4-1 lead in the 7^th inning before being bailed out 2 run bottom of the 7^th.

The Cubs bounced back from a very disappoinging loss on Sunday by beating the Diamondbacks 4-1 on Monday.

Randy Wells allowed a leadoff 1^st inning homer to Willie Bloomquust before settling down and holding the Diamondbacks scoreless through the next 6 innings.

The Cubs scored two 8^th innings runs to open up a 4-1 lead and Carlos Marmol closed out the Diamondbacks in the 9^th leveling the Cubs record at 2-2 for the season.

Thoughts from the game

Positives

1. Randy Wells shutout the Diamondback for 6 innings after allowing the leadoff first inning home run to Bloomquist.
2. Alfonzo Soriano reached base three times and homered for the second straight game.
3. Carlos Marmol bounced back from the tough luck blown save on Sunday by pitching a shutout 9^th inning earning the save.
4. Cubs pitchers stranded 11 Diamondbacks base runners.

Negatives

1. Randy wells had to work hard throwing 99 pitches in 6 innings.
2. Starlin Castro had another tough day in the field making a 8^th inning throwing error.
3. Carlos Pena had to leave the game in the 8^th inning after hurting his glove hand thumb trying to catch an errant throw from Starling Castro