CHICAGO - Adam LaRoche insists that nothing is different for him this month. No special adjustments, no altered routine. The difference in his results, however, is like night and day.
Previously a sub-.200 hitter in his career in April, LaRoche has been swinging like it's July, and he drilled a pair of home runs to support Ian Kennedy and the Diamondbacks in a 13-5 rout of the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series at Wrigley Field.
For Kennedy, it was his first major league win since 2007, when he was on the Yankees.
"I haven't changed a thing," LaRoche said. "Never will. And I've never changed a thing in the second half when I've started hitting. You get some balls to fall, you get your confidence up. I wish I had an answer for you.
"It's a lot more fun doing this than hitting a buck fifty."
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LaRoche went 3 for 4, adding an RBI double in the seventh to match his career high with five RBIs. He's hitting .299 with a .397 on-base and .582 slugging percentage.
The D-backs (11-11) teed off on lefty Ted Lilly, who was making only his second start following shoulder surgery and throwing in the mid-80s.
Kelly Johnson hit his league-leading ninth home run and Chris Snyder hit his third. Snyder is hitting .278 with a .371 on-base and .500 slugging in 54 at-bats, allowing the Diamondbacks to not miss a beat with Miguel Montero gone after knee surgery.
"When we get rolling, up and down the lineup there's definitely some guys who can do some damage," Snyder said.
Inside pitch
• After needing their relievers to throw 14 2/3 innings over the past two days, the D-backs helped the bullpen by promoting right-handers Daniel Stange and Kevin Mulvey from Triple-A Reno after placing starter Kris Benson (shoulder) and reliever Leo Rosales (foot) on the 15-day disabled list.
Stange made his big league debut on Thursday, tossing a clean ninth inning in the win.
Mulvey is not expected to take Benson's place in the rotation. Righty Cesar Valdez, a sinkerballer, is expected be called up and start on Monday in Houston.
TODAY
• Who: D-backs at Cubs
• When: 11:20 a.m.
• TV: FSAZ, MLB Network
• Radio: 1490-AM
