Hudson Keys 15-Run Charge for Arizona

Orlando Hudson said the hot and humid conditions at Wrigley Field on Monday night reminded him of his Darlington, S.C., upbringing.

“It was hot. It was hot like South Carolina hot,” Hudson said. “It’s the kind of weather I’m used to playing in every day at home in South Carolina.”

The comfort showed as Hudson hit home runs from both sides of the plate, including the first grand slam of his career, and the Arizona Diamondbacks hit a team-record six homers in a 15-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Rookie Stephen Drew hit the first home run of his career; and Shawn Green, Chad Tracy and Eric Byrnes also homered for the Diamondbacks, who had a season-high scoring total. Hudson homered left-handed with the bases loaded against Mark Prior (0-5) in the third inning, driving a 3-1 pitch just over the wall in left-center to make it 6-1. Hudson added a two-run shot from the right side in the seventh off Glendon Rusch. Drew, the No. 8 hitter, followed with his homer to make it 10-3.

Prior lasted five innings in his seventh start of the season, giving up six runs, six hits and three walks. Brandon Webb (12-4) gave up four runs in seven innings, tying Carlos Zambrano and Jason Marquis for the National League lead in victories.