CHICAGO -- Jason Hammel is certain the Cubs are better than their record so far. Reshad Jones Jersey . Hammel pitched seven strong innings, Mike Olt hit a three-run home run and Nate Schierholtz drove in a pair of early runs to lead the Cubs to a 9-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. "With a doubt," he said. "Weve played a lot of close ballgames where we could have come out on the other end. Were a young team and well figure out how to win those ball games pretty soon." Hammel (3-1) allowed just one run and four hits without walking a batter in seven innings to lower his ERA to 2.60. "Very nice job," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "He got some groundball double plays when he needed to. Made some pitches when he needed to. It was pretty efficient." Olt still is hitting below .200 for the season (.195), but has four homers and nine runs batted in despite not playing every day. The Cubs, whove won three of four to improve to 7-12, have won back-to-back games for the first time this season. They last won consecutive games on Sept. 9 and 10 of last season against the Cincinnati Reds. Their last consecutive home wins came on Sept. 4 and 6 against Miami and Milwaukee. Brandon McCarthy (0-4) lowered his ERA from 7.11 to 6.23 because only one of five runs allowed was earned. He yielded seven hits in five innings. Arizona has dropped four straight and has the worst record in the majors at 5-18. "It was a carbon copy of the game (Monday)," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. "We made an error there, gave them life and then Brandon got behind in the count 3-1 and Olt hit a ball down over the plate, a pretty big pop into that wind. "We didnt mount any pressure again offensively so I dont know what to tell ya," he said. In the third inning, Luis Valbuena stroked a one-out double to left-centre field and then scored two batters later on a two-out single by Schierholtz. In the fifth, Schierholtz drove in Valbuena again, this time on a sacrifice fly to right field, for a 2-0 lead. Valbuena led off the inning with a single, went to second on a groundout and then reached third as Arizona second baseman Martin Prado dropped Anthony Rizzos grounder for an error. The Cubs took advantage. Given the extra out, Starlin Castro singled to put two runners on and Olt followed with a homer into the right field bleachers for a 5-0 lead. "I think it probably helped me," Olt said of the wind. "I wasnt trying to hit a home run. I was just trying to put the ball in play and hit it hard." Arizona finally got on the board against Hammel in the sixth when Tuffy Gosewisch led off with a homer. The Cubs then broke things open with four runs in the bottom of the eighth, while the Diamondbacks got one back in the ninth. NOTES: Wednesday is the 100th anniversary of the first game at Wrigley Field, which then was known as Weeghman Park, between the Chicago Federals and Kansas City Packers of the Federal League. The Cubs will wear replica Federal uniforms for the game, while Arizona will wear Packers uniforms. . Diamondbacks OF Mark Trumbo didnt start because of soreness in his left foot. The injury occurred late in Mondays game. . Now that RHP Jose Veres no longer is closing games, Renteria will hunt for opportunities to get Veres on the mound so he can work out his problems. "It could be at any moment," Renteria said. "We could be up by 10 (or) down by 10. He needs to pitch. Hes talked about he wants to get back on the mound and throw." . LHP Wade Miley (2-2) is scheduled to face Chicago RHP Jeff Samardzija (0-2) on Wednesday. Alterraun Verner Jersey . Chelsea ripped apart Hull inside 25 minutes at Stamford Bridge, with the early goals from Oscar and Frank Lampard securing a 2-0 victory. While Lampard had earlier missed a penalty, Roberto Soldado had no such trouble from the spot for Tottenham, scoring on his debut to clinch a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Nat Moore Jersey . The Toronto Argonauts running back hurt his left ankle during the teams practice Friday afternoon at Rogers Centre. http://www.thedolphinsfansclub.com/Black-Cordrea-Tankersley-Dolphins-Jersey.html?cat=929 . -- Having already fallen behind because of the NFL lockout, Blaine Gabbert couldnt afford a lengthy holdout.Robbie Neilson says Hearts will have a big say in who wins the Scottish Premiership this season even if he doubts their own chances of taking the title. The Tynecastle side face leaders Celtic on Saturday lunchtime, live on Sky Sports 2, and meet second-placed Aberdeen next Friday, with a trip to Inverness sandwiched in between.Victories against each of the top two would do a lot to thrust his team back into contention ahead of the final five games after the league splits. With Hearts 13 points off the top, however, Neilson knows it is asking a lot of his team to get back into the reckoning with eight games remaining.Head coach Neilson told Sky Sports News HQ: Its a big ask. Its three difficult games starting off at Parkhead on Saturday. Celtic are four points clear of Aberdeen at the top with a game in hand Weve got to focus on that one and then hopefully take care of that then look to ahead the next two.Were going to have a big say in the title race about where it goes. Its going to be very difficult for us to get anywhere near them. Aberdeen are the target and then Celtic are a little bit ahead of them as well. Were just going to try to win on Saturday then well take it from there.Weve drawn the last two games with Celtic so were starting to improve. Theyre the main team in Scotland, so its always difficult to beat them.But we feel were in a good place at the moment. Were confident to go to Parkhead and get a result. Kenyan Drake Jersey. Hearts have drawn twice with Celtic this season Hearts will return to play after the international break looking to respond positively to their 3-0 home defeat against St Johnstone on March 19.The result followed four consecutive victories and Neilson is eager to return to that good form in Glasgow. Hearts lost their last game 3-0 at home to St Johnstone He added: It was a disappointing result. We lost two goals from set plays in the early stages of the game and it was difficult to get back in it.But weve just got to take that on the chin. Were in a good position in the league and we have to try to consolidate third position and aim higher if we can. Get Sky Sports Alerts Breaking news, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - direct to your mobile Also See: Scottish Premiership video Fixtures Table Live on Sky Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys ' ' '