Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly, and Kerry Wood Improve as Cubs Sweep Arizona

Nothing cures a slump like sweeping the best team in baseball.

That’s exactly what the Chicago Cubs did this weekend, as they beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in three games, turning around their prior 3-7 decline.

Coming into the weekend, Arizona had the best record in the Major Leagues, 22-11. The best record now belongs to Florida, which is now 23-14.

The Cubs saw much improvement in many aspects of the game. Ted Lilly and Alfonso Soriano both made highlights this weekend after slow starts to the year.

Soriano hit .555 during the series, improving his overall average to .223. Soriano also had two runs batted in this weekend, including the go-ahead run in the six-run seventh inning on Saturday. The Cubs won that game 7-2.

He got the majority of the Cubs’ 6-4 Mother’s Day win off. Soriano was a pinch hitter late in the game, drawing a walk.

In the first game, a 3-1 Chicago victory, Lilly let his star shine. Lilly pitched seven full innings while giving up three hits and one earned run. He struck out 10 Diamondbacks and walked only two. Lilly has improved his ERA to 5.24.

Kerry Wood also had a good weekend.

The Cub closer earned his sixth save on Friday and his seventh on Sunday. Wood’s ERA has now dropped to 3.79.

Sean Gallagher got his first start of the year Sunday, pitching four and one-third innings. The right handed pitcher gave up five hits and four earned runs.

With the sweep, the Cubs are now 22-15 and back atop the National League Central Division, tied with St. Louis. They have also gained some momentum and can improve their marks during the next week. They will wrap up their 10-game home stand with four games against San Diego and three against Pittsburgh.