(PHOENIX) – The Arizona Diamondbacks have been a bad baseball team for a big chunk of this season and own the worst record in the majors to prove it. The only exception, at least in recent weeks, is when Merrill Kelly takes the mound. Kelly threw eight efficient innings, Eduardo Escobar hit a two-run homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks avoided a three-game sweep with a 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Kelly (6-7) needed just 75 pitches to navigate the Cubs' lineup through eight innings and threw 59 strikes. Kelly was helped by two spectacular catches by Kole Calhoun. The right fielder made a diving grab on Patrick Wisdom's sinking line drive in the second inning and saved an extra-base hit in the third when he chased down Anthony Rizzo's long drive into the right-field corner. Kelly was pulled in the ninth after allowing a leadoff double to Kris Bryan and an RBI single to Javier Baez. The right-hander gave up four runs and six hits, struck out six and walked none while throwing 82 pitches. The D-backs have won five of the past six games Kelly has started. Joakim Soria earned his fourth save, one day after blowing a 2-1 lead by giving up three runs in the ninth. Cubs starter Zach Davies allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings. He gave up six hits, walked four and struck out three. Manager David Ross said he was pleased his lineup continued to fight through nine innings but couldn't overcome all the walks from his pitchers. Dan Winkler (1-2) took the loss for Chicago. Bryant and Baez drove in runs for the Cubs.