Cubs diamondbacks

• Soriano homered twice, doubled twice and had five RBIs as the Cubs beat Kennedy and the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1 on Friday after a lengthy rain delay before the game.
(Huffington Post)
• Ryan Dempster has endured the buzz of trade rumors for weeks, and it might not stop until the deadline at months end.
(ESPN)
• CHICAGO — If the Cubs and their fans have learned one thing this baseball season, it is patience.
(Boston Herald)
• Heavy rains Friday were good for the drought-stricken city, but not so accommodating to the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks, who were trying to open the second half at Wrigley Field. About 15 minutes before the 1:20 p.m.
(ESPN)
• Reed Johnson gets the start in center field and Jeff Baker in right, as the Cubs use their right-handed lineup Saturday against Diamondbacks lefty Joe Saunders at Wrigley Field.
(Chicago Tribune)
• The Arizona Diamondbacks are the defending National League West champs but come out of the All-Star break below .500 (42-43).
(Chicago Tribune)
• The Cubs picked up right where they left off in their first game back from the All-Star break, beating the Diamondbacks 8-1 Friday. Alfonso Soriano led the way with two home runs, two doubles, and five RBIs.
(Chicagoist)
• Johnson was 8-0 in 15 starts against the Nationals, who have won six of eight. CUBS 8, DIAMONDBACKS 1 (at Chicago) — Alfonso Soriano homered twice, doubled twice and had five RBI as Chicago beat Arizona.
(NorthJersey.com)
• Despite the rain delays and bad weather, the Chicago Cubs got off to a good start in the second half of the season by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1 on Friday.
(SB Nation)
• (AP) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs had their issues during the seasons first half, though both have reasons for optimism after finishing strong before the break.
(Seattle Post Intelligencer)