Phoenix — On Tuesday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Chicago Cubs 12-11 after Ketel Marte hit a tying solo homer with two outs in the ninth and Randal Grichuk produced a pinch-hit RBI double in the 10th. The first two games of the series went into extra innings and were shared. The finale is Wednesday.
Grichuk hit Drew Smyly's (2-2) second pitch into left-center, scoring Christian Walker from second as D-backs players celebrated. “It was a lot of ups and downs,” Grichuk added. We thought we had it, but it didn't seem good, so we went back in. Everyone's emotions are a roller coaster, but it's good to assist the team win.”
The Cubs lost after rallying from two three-run deficits. Chicago led 11-8 after Ian Happ hit a grand slam in a six-run seventh inning, but the D-backs rallied. Arizona reduced the lead to 11-9 in the seventh on Blaze Alexander's double and 11-10 in the eighth on Joc Pederson's sacrifice fly.
Marte hit a liner off Cubs reliever Adbert Alzolay that barely cleared the right-center wall. An official assessment affirmed the homer. Marte had four hits. “Regardless of the situation, the game has to be played the same way,” Marte remarked via an interpreter. “It’s not over until the last out.”
Happ connected on a lefty Kyle Nelson cutter to blast his first homer of the season into the D-backs bullpen. Happ's homer followed a sacrifice fly by Christopher Morel and an RBI single by Garrett Cooper. Chicago's Nico Hoerner had four hits, including a double and triple.
Our guys did great, Nico had a huge night, Ian had a really big night,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We scored 11 runs. Tonight's pitching was poor.” Big swings gave the D-backs a 4-1 lead after four innings. After four Cubs runs in the fifth, the D-backs scored four in the bottom of the inning for an 8-5 lead.
Kyle Hendricks gave up seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings for the Cubs. In four starts this year, the veteran right-hander has been smacked hard, accumulating a 12.71 ERA. Michael Busch's five-game homer streak ended. The Cubs rookie tied a franchise record with his long-ball streak and went 0 for 4 with a walk and run.
The Diamondbacks led 4-1 after Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a two-run homer and Pederson blasted a solo shot in the third. Through 17 games, Gurriel has five homers and 20 RBIs. D'backs left-hander Tommy Henry allowed five runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings. Kevin Ginkel (1-0) won with a scoreless 10th inning.
stay turned for development