Slumping Daryle Ward an unlikely hero in Cubs' victory

Daryle Ward probably wasn't the most likely guy to pick up a bat as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning with the Chicago Cubs trailing by two runs.

Even more unlikely was breaking out of his 0-for-13 slump with a game-winning homer.

Ward connected on an 0-1 pitch off Florida closer Kevin Gregg, driving it over the right-field wall for a three-run shot and helping the Cubs rally to beat the Marlins 6-5 on Friday night for their ninth straight road victory.

"I knew he was going to come after me," Ward said. "The first pitch was a fastball, then I'm watching his release on the next pitch and the fastball comes again and I got all of it."

The Cubs have 35 comeback victories, tying Milwaukee and Detroit for the major-league lead.

Arizona: SS Stephen Drew's 17-game hit streak, a career high, is the Diamondbacks' longest since Danny Bautista hit in 21 straight games in April 2004.

Atlanta: LHP Tom Glavine went back on the disabled list, a day after the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner was hit hard in his first start since June 10. The 42-year-old, who has a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow, has been hoping to avoid surgery.

Chicago: 3B Aramis Ramirez sat out after suffering a left hip bruise while sliding into home Thursday at Atlanta.

Cincinnati: Since being promoted to the majors on Tuesday, OF Chris Dickerson has six hits — all for extra bases (home run, triple, four doubles).

Colorado: The Rockies' 10-game home run streak is their longest since 2006, when the club connected in 11 consecutive games April 19-30.

Florida: The Marlins designated RHP Justin Miller for assignment and called up C Paul Lo Duca from AAA Albuquerque.

Milwaukee: LF Ryan Braun, who missed his sixth straight game with a sore lower back, took batting practice but isn't expected to be back in the starting lineup until Sunday.

New York: SS Jose Reyes, who had two hits Friday, has 50 multi-hit games.

Philadelphia: The matchup between 45-year-old Jamie Moyer and 42-year-old Greg Maddux of San Diego was the oldest by combined ages (88 years, 30 days) of starting pitchers since June 21, 2007, when Moyer and David Wells (88 years, 308 days) faced each other at Petco Park, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Pittsburgh: Six of the top 11 picks in baseball's amateur draft agreed to contracts in the hours before Friday's midnight deadline, including No. 2 selection Pedro Alvarez, who received a minor-league deal from the Pirates with a $6 million signing bonus.

St. Louis: RHP Chris Carpenter was put on the 15-day DL with a strained pitching shoulder.

Washington: Cristian Guzman was out of the starting lineup for a second straight game, and manager Manny Acta said the All-Star shortstop's sore left thumb would need more rest before he returns.

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