Confounding Diamondbacks Complete the Sweep

The Diamondbacks needed just one pitch to establish a lead that they would never relinquish. Chris Young, easily the most overlooked of the National League's top three rookies, starting things off wing a bang when he deposited Rich Hill's first offering into the left field bleachers of Wrigley Field. The only insurance run that Livan Hernandez would need came later in the opening frame from a Justin Upton RBI single. The veteran pitcher's playoff experience was evident over the course of his six inning performance.

The Cubs had opportunities but when they arose the silence off of their bats was deafening. The team left a total of 19 runners on base and Jacque Jones' double represented their lone extra-base hit. Aramis Ramirez—the team's top run producer—might have well taken the week off. He finished the abbreviated series 0-12 while stranding enough runners to field an entire team.

Eric Byrnes added a second home run for the NL West champs off of maligned reliever Carlos Marmol. Lou Piniella displayed the quick hook again, but I doubt the talking heads will get too far questioning Hill's removal after he gave up three runs within the first three innings. Regardless, in the end it was the Cubs bats that failed to answer the call. With the win Arizona moves on to the National League Championship Series for a shot at their second pennant.