Soriano's return sparks Cubs' bats

PHOENIX -- Alfonso Soriano is back, and although he had one of the Cubs' 10 hits in a 10-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, his return was a big boost. "He makes it fun to come to work," Chicago's Reed Johnson said of Soriano. "I think everybody will say he's just a presence and a leader for us. Any time you have a guy like that out, it's tough on you." Johnson made it easy on the Cubs, hitting a grand slam to highlight a six-run eighth inning, and Derrek Lee added a solo homer to back Ted Lilly and lead the Cubs to victory, maintaining sole possession of first in the National League Central. Lilly (10-6) was the ultimate multi-tasker. He hit an RBI single, stole a base, ended a rundown, threw out a baserunner and posted a quality start. The lefty joined teammates Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano, both... [read full story]