Francis has best outing for Rockies before Soriano wins game for Cubs

Francis, Soriano look good for Rockies, Cubs

MESA, Ariz. — Jeff Francis, who missed last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, pitched five scoreless innings for Colorado before Alfonso Soriano’s two-run homer in the sixth lifted the Chicago Cubs to a 2-0 victory over the Rockies on Thursday.

Francis entered with a 7.27 ERA but Colorado’s No. 2 starter held the Cubs to three singles and three walks in his best outing. The left-hander won 17 games in 2007 before going 4-10 the next year as his shoulder became problematic.

Soriano, who slumped most of March, capped his three-hit day with a homer off Matt Daley. Coming off his worst season — .241 with 20 HRs and 55 RBIs — Soriano has only two homers and five RBIs this spring.

Cubs starter Carlos Silva allowed six hits over five scoreless innings.