Sat Sep 6 22:59:17 2008

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Soriano clubs three HRs, Cubs snap six-game skid

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Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Alfonso Soriano clubbed three homers and drove in five runs, as the Chicago Cubs snapped a six-game skid by defeating the Cincinnati Reds, 14-9, in the middle portion of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.

Soriano finished 4-for-5, scoring four times, and Derrek Lee went 4-for-6 with two doubles and three RBI, while Mark DeRosa belted a three-run homer.

The Cubs maintained a four-game lead over Milwaukee for the top spot in the NL Central after the Brewers beat San Diego, 1-0, Saturday night.

Jason Marquis (10-8) gave up two runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings to get the win. He also hit a solo home run.

Jolbert Cabrera belted a grand slam for the Reds, who have dropped three of their last five games. Paul Bako drove in two runs for Cincinnati.

Johnny Cueto (8-13), making his first appearance since he was diagnosed with a posterior strain in his right elbow on August 25, allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.

Both bullpens were horrendous. Jeff Samardzija, Neal Cotts, Michael Wuertz and Carlos Marmol combined to yield seven runs -- six earned -- in 1 2/3 innings of relief for Chicago. Meanwhile, Jared Burton, Gary Majewski and Mike Lincoln were tagged for nine runs in 3 2/3 frames of relief for Cincinnati.