Gausman fires seven shutout innings as Cubs blank Diamondbacks, 7-0, to open 3-game series in Arizona

PHOENIX (AP/WGN) — This is why the Chicago Cubs acquired Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline.

In his fourth start with the Cubs, the veteran right-hander delivered his best performance yet Monday night, firing seven shutout innings and allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out six in a 7-0 road win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series.

Gausman (2-1) cruised through the Diamondbacks' lineup, needing just 94 pitches to complete his seven innings, as the Cubs moved within 5 1/2 games of the Milwaukee Brewers, who were off Monday, for first place in the NL Central.

The Cubs also increased their lead to three games over the Philadelphia Phillies, who had their nine-game winning streak snapped Monday, for the top NL Wild Card spot. Chicago is now 2-2 on its six-game trip out west, with two more games remaining in Arizona.

Gausman got plenty of support from his offense Monday, as Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers off reliever Taylor Clarke with two outs in the top of the sixth, breaking open a tight game. Conforto's two-run shot to right field made it 4-0, and then Kelly — who played 4 1/2 seasons with the Diamondbacks — hurt his former team with a solo smash to left.

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the second when Pedro Ramírez smacked a triple down the right-field line that scored Ian Happ. They pushed the advantage to 2-0 in the fifth when Seiya Suzuki's double off the left-field wall brought home Conforto.

Conforto reached base four times, hitting a single, a double and a homer while also drawing a walk. Happ and Ramírez both had two hits.

Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (8-12) gave up three runs on five hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four.

Arizona managed just five hits, all of them singles. Corbin Carroll stole two bases.

The Diamondbacks send RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.39 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday against Cubs RHP Clay Holmes (5-6, 2.49), another trade-deadline acquistion.

First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. The teams conclude the series at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday.