The Cubs believe their universe got back to some semblance of order Wednesday when they activated left fielder Alfonso Soriano off the disabled list. He'd been out six weeks with a broken left hand.
"Just the energy he brings to a team," second baseman Mark DeRosa said before the Cubs beat the Diamondbacks 10-6. More important than energy, Soriano gives the Cubs a potent bat at the top of the order, with the threat to go ahead 1-0 with a leadoff homer.
Soriano played in two rehab games this week in Arizona and said he felt no pain in his hand, which was broken by a pitched ball on June 11.
DeRosa, who had played mostly left and right field in Soriano's absence, moved back to second base. Shortstop Ryan Theriot moved down from leadoff to No. 2 in the batting order. Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome, who had been batting second, dropped down to No. 6, largely because the Diamondbacks threw lefty Doug Davis at the Cubs.
Look for Fukudome to hit fifth against right-handed pitchers.
CUBS 10, DIAMONDBACKS 6: CF Reed Johnson hit a grand slam to key a six-run eighth inning as the Cubs blew open a 4-3 game. Johnson also singled and doubled. LHP Ted Lilly said he was erratic, but he lasted six innings, giving up six hits and three runs while throwing 115 pitches. 1B Derrek Lee homered. LF Alfonso Soriano went 1-for-5 with an eighth-inning double in his return from the disabled list.
