Conforto and Kelly hit back-to-back HRs, lift the Cubs over the Diamondbacks 7-0

PHOENIX (AP) — Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers, Kevin Gausman gave up just three hits over seven innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0 on Monday night.

The Cubs moved to 5 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central lead. The Brewers were off Monday.

Conforto and Kelly hit their homers off reliever Taylor Clarke with two outs in 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.

That was plenty of support for Gausman (2-1), who cruised through the D-backs' lineup, needing just 94 pitches to complete his seven innings. The right-hander gave up three hits and a walk while striking out six in his best outing for the Cubs since being acquired at the trade deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays.

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, double and homer while also drawing a walk. Happ and Ramírez both had two hits.

D-backs 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 D-backs send RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.39 ERA) on Tuesday against Cubs RHP Clay Holmes (5-6, 2.49).

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Tim Tawa, left, is tagged out by Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (12) during a rundown during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kevin Gausman throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll, right, steals third base as Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (3) makes a late tag during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Chicago Cubs' Michael Conforto, right, celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Cubs' Pedro Ramírez during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Rafael Devers hit a three-run homer in the second inning and the San Francisco Giants snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 on Monday night.

Jason Foley (1-1) worked 1 1/3 innings for the win after relieving lefty Carson Whisenhunt, who left in the third inning with pain in his pitching elbow. He was coming off an outing in which he surrendered a career-worst seven runs and nine hits over four innings of an 8-1 loss at Cleveland last Tuesday. He will have an MRI on Tuesday.

San Francisco leadoff hitter Drew Gilbert doubled in each of his first two at-bats on a cool night and well before the mist began hovering over the outfield in the middle innings.

The Giants began the game with four straight hits off right-hander Chase Burns (14-3), including Jung Hoo Lee’s RBI single followed by a run-scoring double from Turner Hill in the first. Two of Burns' three losses this year have come in his last three outings.

There appeared to be no lingering ill will in the first meeting between the clubs since a three-game series at Cincinnati in mid-April that featured a benches-clearing brawl.

The Reds were shut out for the14th time this season, tied for the most in the majors this season.

Lee received a break from his duties in right field and was designated hitter after a late flight home from Boston as the Giants concluded a 1-5 road trip. San Francisco won for just the second time in eight games.

San Francisco placed infielder Bryce Eldridge on the bereavement list while infielder Willy Adames went on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left elbow. Outfielder Victor Bericoto also is on the IL because of a bone bruise in his right knee.

RHP Brady Singer (5-11, 4.72 ERA) pitches for the Reds on Tuesday night opposite Giants RHP Adrian Houser (1-0, 4.08).

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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) walks off the mound during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Jason Foley throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Carson Whisenhunt, center, walks off the mound with manager Tony Vitello, left, and Dave Groeschner, vice president of medical & performance, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers, gestures after hitting a three-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers, right, watches his three-run home run in front of Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino, left, during the second inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)