Reshuffled Cubs clobber Reds with long ball

CINCINNATI (AP) — Alfonso Soriano homered three times at the top of Chicago’s retooled batting order, and the first-place Cubs emerged from their longest losing streak of the season by keeping their composure and beating the Cincinnati Reds 14-9 on Saturday night to end a six-game slide.

Soriano was the Cubs’ Mr. September last season, leading their final surge toward the NL Central title by hitting a club-record 14 homers in the month. He’s been in a slump — along with much of the lineup — this time around.

No longer.

He hit two solo homers off rookie Johnny Cueto (8-13), then connected for a three-run shot off Jared Burton, sending a two-strike pitch deep into the seats in left field. Soriano resisted tens of thousands of Cubs fans who wanted him to take a curtain call — bad form on the road — but briefly tipped his cap when he went back to left field.

The third three-homer game of Soriano’s career got the Cubs’ offense rolling. Mark DeRosa added a three-run drive and Jason Marquis (10-8) had a solo shot as Chicago piled up a season-high five homers. Derrek Lee had four hits on his 33rd birthday.

The Cubs pulled ahead 9-1, substituted for many of their starters, then held on.

Sensing a need for change, Cubs manager Lou Piniella shook up the lineup, benching slumping All-Star right fielder Kosuke Fukudome and center fielder Jim Edmonds. He made the right choice by leaving Soriano in the No. 1 spot.