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Davis sharp as Diamondbacks top Cubs

Aug 26, 2007 - 5:53 AM By Bob Huhn PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Doug Davis followed his shortest outing of the season with one of his better ones.

Davis pitched seven strong innings and Conor Jackson belted a two-run homer as the Arizona Diamondbacks edged the Chicago Cubs, 3-1.

In Davis' last outing, the nine-year veteran was tagged for six runs, six hits and a season-high three home runs over just two innings in a 9-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday.

"Tonight my control was a lot better," Davis said. "I wasn't falling behind and I was able to get ahead and stay ahead. It was one bad start and I looked back and I was flying open. Tonight my mechanics were better."

Against the Cubs, Davis (11-11) threw an array of off-speed pitches that kept the hitters off-balance. He yielded just one run and six hits with a walk and a season-high eight strikeouts.

"He had control on both sides of the plate with his cutter and good feel with his curveball plus a good changeup," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "He had everything working tonight."

The 31-year-old lefthander retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced as the Diamondbacks won for just the second time in their last six contests. Davis improved to 6-1 in his last nine starts.

Cubs starter Ted Lilly (13-7) was cruising along, facing the minimum nine batters through three innings.

But Eric Byrnes had a two-out single in the fourth inning to set the stage for Jackson to hit his 10th homer of the season - a two-run shot to left - to give Arizona a 2-0 lead.

"Conor's hit was huge," Melvin said. "A lot of games like that the difference is one swing of the bat. He had it tonight."

Arizona (73-57) remained two games ahead of the San Diego Padres (70-58) in the National League West and, despite the loss, Chicago (66-62) holds onto its 1 1/2-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers (65-64) in the NL Central.

Chicago cut the deficit to 2-1 in the sixth when Aramis Ramirez's base hit plated Ryan Theriot.

"We didn't score runs," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "We had a couple of chances and that was it. We need to play well. If we do, it doesn't matter what Milwaukee does."

Lilly was the tough-luck loser, hurling six innings and allowing two runs and four hits with eight strikeouts. But again his downfall was the long ball, as the lefthander has surrendered 23 homers in his 27 starts.

"I made some mistakes and that home run was one I didn't get away with," Lilly said. "I felt that I had an opportunity to keep up with Davis and he was throwing the ball well. I wasn't able to do it so I am pretty disappointed."

Arizona pick up an insurance run in the seventh inning when rookie Justin Upton smacked an RBI double to right, opening up a 3-1 advantage.

"In that situation I wanted to relax and so you have to tell yourself to have fun," Upton said. "I have been feeling good at the plate so it is nice to have something to show for it."

Matt Murton, who was hitless in his last 13 at-bats entering the contest, went 3-for-4 for the Cubs, who have lost two of their last three games.