Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Didi Gregorius hit a go-ahead RBI single as
part of a three-run sixth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks topped the
Chicago Cubs, 5-4, in the opener of a three-game set.
The Cubs put the tying run on third with one out against Addison Reed in the
ninth, but didn't capitalize. Justin Ruggiano worked a walk, stole second
and advanced to third on a Miguel Montero throwing error, but Ryan Sweeney
popped out in foul territory and Welington Castillo struck out to end the game
and give Reed his 22nd save of the season.
Paul Goldschmidt smacked a solo homer for the Diamondbacks. Eury De La Rosa
(1-0) was credited with the win after allowing a run in the top of the sixth.
Anthony Rizzo cracked a pair of blasts among his three RBI for Chicago, which
has dropped nine of its last 11 games.
The Cubs led 4-2 before Arizona surged ahead following the three-run sixth.
Goldschmidt launched his solo shot the opposite way to right-center with one
out. James Russell came on for Chicago starter Edwin Jackson and Montero
reached with a bunt single. Back-to-back base hits by Mark Trumbo and Martin
Prado against Brian Schlitter (2-3), who replaced Russell on the bump,
loaded the bases.
"I thought he minimized damage," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of Jackson.
"He looked very confident, very poised. I thought he threw the ball well. Well
enough to give us a chance to win the ball game."
Gerardo Parra followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Montero. Zac Rosscup
became to fourth Cubs pitcher in the inning and Gregorius welcomed him with a
base hit to left-center to plate Trumbo and give Arizona a 5-4 advantage.
Earlier, Rizzo belted a two-run shot and Ryan Sweeney added an RBI single as
the Cubs opened the scoring with a three-run fourth.
RBI singles by Gregorius and pinch-hitter Nick Evans in the fifth trimmed the
gap to 3-2, but Rizzo's second blast of the night in the sixth gave Chicago
its 4-2 margin.
"He killed me," Arizona starter Trevor Cahill said of Rizzo. "I should've just
let him put the ball in play."
Game Notes
Arizona was 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position, while Chicago finished
2-for-6 ... Rizzo has 22 homers this season, while Goldschmidt recorded his
17th ... Cahill allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over five
innings, while Jackson gave up three runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 frames.