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Soriano powers Cubs past Reds

Sep 7, 2008 - 3:13 AM By Douglas Tifft PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- It seems all the Chicago Cubs needed to right their six-game losing streak was to explore the short fences of Great American Ballpark.

The Cubs belted a season high five home runs - including three by Alfonso Soriano - as they beat the Cincinnati Reds 14-9 on Saturday to end their skid.

Soriano started the home-run parade in the third inning, taking a Johnny Cueto fastball to left field for a solo home run. Two innings later, Soriano connected on another solo shot against Cueto (8-13).

Soriano continued his barrage in the sixth inning, taking a hanging slider from reliever Jared Burton for a three-run shot.

"I come to the game every day with the same energy and try to do the best that I can," Soriano said. "I didn't lose my confidence or my concentration and that is more important."

The game marked the third time Soriano, who went 4-for-5 and scored four runs for the fourth time in his career, has gone deep three times in a game - the previous occasion being July 8 of last season. It was also Soriano's 22nd multi-home run game of his career and third this season after consecutive two-home run games May 16 and 17.

"That is my second time in the past two seasons (that I have hit three home runs in a game)," Soriano said. "I feel good. It was a special day for me."

The results paid off in the eyes of Reds manager Dusty Baker.

"That was a huge night for Alfonso Soriano," Baker said. "That is one of the best nights that I have seen since Joey Votto hit three home runs earlier in the year against (the Cubs). It was just too much Soriano tonight."

Home runs have been a problem for Cueto, as the rookie has allowed 28 - fifth-most in the major leagues. The 22-year-old allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings in his first start since suffering a posterior right elbow strain on August 24.

"Cueto threw the ball well except to Soriano," Baker said. "It was just Soriano's night."

Soriano was not the only Cub belting homers, as Mark DeRosa also had a three-run shot in the seventh and starter Jason Marquis accompanied a stellar outing on the mound with his fourth career homer.

It appeared for a while that Marquis (10-8) would not need much of the home run help, as he allowed only two runs and surrendered five hits and five walks in 7 1/3 innings.

"I felt pretty good (tonight)," Marquis said. "I battled through some counts, but I made pitches when I needed to, and stopped the bleeding to shut down innings. I was able to get deep into the game and save the bullpen."

The Chicago bullpen struggled mightily as Jeff Samardzija did not retire a batter while surrendering three runs - two earned - on a Derrek Lee error and a two-run double by Paul Bako before giving way to Neal Cotts for the final two outs of the frame.

Michael Wuertz could not retire a batter in being charged with three of the four runs on Jolbert Cabrera's grand slam in the ninth. Carlos Marmol was tagged by Cabrera for the grand slam before finishing out the inning.