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Cubs, D'Backs close series at Wrigley

Apr 24, 2014 - 2:34 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Veteran right-hander Edwin Jackson can pitch the Chicago Cubs to a rare series victory on Thursday afternoon when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a four-game series at 100-year-old Wrigley Field.

The Cubs celebrated the stadium's centennial on Wednesday, but saw a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning disintegrate into a 7-5 loss. Chicago's 26 blown saves in 2013 were No. 2 in the National League behind Arizona and its 75 since the outset of 2011 are second-most in the majors behind Houston.

"That one finished not like we would have wanted, obviously," manager Rick Renteria said. "It seemed like the inning kept opening up, and we weren't able to end up in the end putting a stop to it."

Jackson has fallen short of six innings pitched in three of his four starts this season, though he did defeat Cincinnati, 8-4, in his most recent outing.

In that game, he allowed two runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings to earn his second win in his last 14 starts.

Jackson made 21 starts for Arizona and was 6-10 before being dealt to the Chicago WHite Sox. He's faced the Diamondbacks four times since the trade and is 1-2 with a 6.75 earned run average.

Arizona, which has won two of its last 12 games, aims for two in a row behind rookie Mike Bolsinger, who makes his second start.

The youngster was tagged for seven runs and seven hits in four innings of an 8-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.

Nonetheless, he remains in the rotation in place of Trevor Cahill, who's subsequently worked out of the bullpen.

"It's how you respond to it," Bolsinger said. "Each time I've been out there, I've kind of learned. I learned a lot from my first time out and I kind of learned a lot from this start. Hopefully I can take it on to the next one."

On Wednesday, Aaron Hill capped the five-run rally with a two-run triple to help Arizona claim its victory.

Martin Prado contributed a two-run single and Miguel Montero added an RBI hit during the deciding frame for the Diamondbacks, who halted a four-game slide that included the first two games in the series.

Cahill (1-4) turned in two innings of scoreless relief for the win, while Addison Reed followed suit in the ninth to close out the contest and earn his fourth save.

Justin Ruggiano's two-run shot in the sixth provided a seemingly safe three- run cushion for the Cubs.

Pedro Strop (0-2) was on the hook for four runs, but one earned, while recording only two outs in defeat.

Arizona was 4-3 against the Cubs last season.