Cubs win 8-1 over Diamondbacks after 3 hour and 40 minute rain delay; David and Kim DeJesus to hold ALS Awareness Events before and after Saturday's game

The Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1 at Wrigley Field today after a three hour and 40 minute rain delay.  Paul Maholm started for the Cubs and and allowed one run on six hits and struck out five batters and walked one over seven innings pitched.  This was Maholm's seventh win of the season and his third win in a row.

Alfonso Soriano was 4-for-4 in today's game and had five RBIs with two homers and two doubles.  "I feel very good, my mind and body, too," said Soriano.  "To have success, it's all about my legs.  The last month or two my legs are feeling very good."

Outfielders Joe Mather, Alfonso Soriano and David DeJesus celebrate the Cubs 8-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Friday (photo from Chicago Cubs)

Maholm and Bryan LaHair each also had RBIs in today's victory.  "Obviously, the first two months we didn't play very well," Maholm said.  "But over the last six-seven weeks we've kept battling and kept expecting to win.  Now it's paying off.  We're having fun.  We're working hard to make sure we're ready for every game."

Paul Maholm earned his seventh win of the season against the Diamondbacks on Friday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

This is the Cubs' eighth victory in their last 11 games.  Manager Dale Sveum said, "Everybody right now is playing pretty good baseball, but it starts with that starting pitching and our starting pitching has been really good for a couple of weeks."

The Cubs are no longer in last place in the NL Central division, which is great to see, even though they are still 14.5 games behind the first place Pirates.

Anthony Rizzo and Joe Mather sit in the Cubs' dugout during the rain delay Friday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Anthony Rizzo removes his spikes and socks to walk down the flooded walkway to the Cubs' clubhouse (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Diamondbacks will play game two of the three game series at 12:05pm CT.  Ryan Dempster will start for the Cubs and it's expected that there will be numerous scouts in the stands watching him pitch.  This may be Dempster's last start at Wrigley Field as a Cub if he is traded soon (before the July 31st trade deadline).

If you are in the area or heading to tomorrow's game, don't forget to come early to stop by Kim DeJesus' (wife of David DeJesus) table right outside the main gate of Wrigley Field, where she will be hosting an ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) awareness day.

Starting at approximately 10:05am, there will be mystery baseballs for sale for a $50 donation.  Each Cubs player has autographed a dozen baseballs and they have been wrapped so you won't know which player's ball you'll receive until you open the package.  There will also be ALS bracelets available for a small donation.  All proceeds will benefit ALS research.

After tomorrow's game, David DeJesus will be holding an autograph signing at the Cubs store across the street from Wrigley Field (by the 'Big Noodle' at Clark and Addison).  For a minimum donation of $20, you can get meet the Cubs outfielder and get a photo/autograph from him.

Here's a link to my previous post about tomorrow's events:  http://cubbynews.blogspot.com/2012/07/david-and-kim-dejesus-to-hold-als.html