Pole ended the night watching the Cubs pull out a 4-3 win over
"I haven't had a heartbeat like that in a while," Pole said.
"Alex clutched up for us," Maddux said.
Joe Borowski picked up his fifth save, retiring
The Cubs avoided their first three-game sweep since Cincinnati took a series on Sept. 24-26, 2002, and moved into sole possession of first with a 13-8 record. After an off day on Thursday, they begin a four-game series in St. Louis, facing their heated rivals for the first time this season.
Baker declined to insert himself into the game by sending strategic moves to Pole through a third party while watching the game from his clubhouse office.
"I went in and asked him before the game if he wanted anything in particular," Pole said. "He said, `No, just go ahead and go with it.' I've been in the dugout for a few years, so . . . I pay attention to where the pitcher is and double switches and things like that. It worked out well. `Gonzo' followed orders real well."
Baker said he had a difficult time watching the game on the TV, with former Cub
"He did pretty good," Baker said. "I'd rather listen to our guys, but I couldn't find the [Chicago satellite feed]."
"Mentally I was done," Maddux said. "Physically I felt good."
The D'backs may have suffered an even bigger loss when slugger Richie Sexson had to be removed from the game in the eighth after injuring himself while trying to check his swing against Hawkins.
Arizona manager Bob Brenly said Sexson, who played every inning of every game for the
Though Hawkins retired Sexson's pinch-hitter, Carlos Baerga, Finley followed with the game-tying home run on the first pitch he saw, the fourth three-homer game of his career.
After seven straight scoreless outings in his first seven appearances, Hawkins has now served up home runs in his last two games.
Following the game, Baker congratulated Pole on keeping the Cubs from getting swept.
"How'd you do in the postgame interview?" Baker asked Pole.
"Not too tough," Pole replied.
"It's a lot easier then when [the Cubs lost] 9-0 or 10-1," Baker said, referring to the scores of the first two games in Arizona.
Baker returns to the dugout on Thursday in St. Louis.
Pole returns to his old role as bench coach, knowing he'll always have Phoenix.