Center fielder Chris Young hit leadoff for the first time this season Monday with an eye toward jumpstarting the Diamondbacks' offense against Cubs lefty Ted Lilly. Manager Bob Melvin's adjustment worked just as planned.
Young continued his strong history against Lilly with two doubles and two stolen bases, and his two-run double capped a four-run rally in the fourth inning to help righty Dan Haren to a 7-2 victory. Haren also had a two-run double in the fourth. It was only the D-backs' second victory in nine games against a left-handed starter this season. Haren has both of those wins.
Young has five hits in 12 career at-bats against Lilly, a ..417 batting average, with four doubles and a home run. He has a 1.000 slugging percentage and a 1.417 OPS against Lilly, and that does not include Young's three-run homer off Lilly in Game 2 of the 2007 playoffs.
Second baseman Felipe Lopez, who had led off in 17 of the D-backs' first 19 games this season, was given his first day off Monday.
DIAMONDBACKS 7, CUBS 2: RHP Dan Haren struck out 10 and gave up only three hits in a complete game, winning his second consecutive decision. Haren (2-3) also doubled in two runs in a four-run fourth inning as the D-backs won a second consecutive game for the first time this season.
OF Chris Young had two doubles, drove in two runs, and had two of the D-backs' five stolen bases while hitting leadoff for the first time this season. C Chris Snyder hit his first home run of the season.
