The Diamondbacks beat the Cubs 12-11 after tying homer in the 9th, winning the double in the 10th originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Editor’s Note: The video in this story is from a previous report.
Ketel Marte hit a game-tying solo home run with two outs in the ninth, and Randal Grichuk won it with an RBI double in the 10th, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a wild 12-11 victory over the Chicago puppies on Tuesday night.
The teams split the first two games of the series, both in extra innings. They will play the final on Wednesday.
Grichuk hit the second pitch he saw from Drew Smyly (2-2) in the left-center gap, easily scoring Christian Walker from second as the D-backs’ players ran onto the field to celebrate.
“There were a lot of ups and downs,” Grichuk said. “I thought we had it in the bag, but it didn’t look good and we went back there. Rollercoaster of emotions for everyone, but it’s good to be able to come in and help the team win.”
The Cubs recovered from two three-run deficits but still couldn’t get the win. Ian Happ hit a go-ahead grand slam as part of a six-run seventh inning that gave Chicago an 11-8 lead, but the D-backs slowly rallied. Arizona cut the margin to 11-9 in the seventh on Blaze Alexander’s double and 11-10 in the eighth on Joc Pederson’s sacrifice fly.
Then came Marte’s home run against Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay – a liner that barely cleared the right-center field wall. After official analysis, the home run was confirmed. Marte finished with four hits.
“Regardless of the situation, the game must be played the same way,” Marte said through an interpreter. “It’s not over until the last exit is made.”
Happ hit his first home run of the season off left-hander Kyle Nelson, spinning a cutter and sending a line drive into the D-backs’ bullpen. Christopher Morel had a sacrifice bunt and Garrett Cooper added an RBI single before Happ’s crucial home run.
Nico Hoerner had four hits for Chicago, including a double and a triple.
“Our guys did really well, Nico had a big night, Ian had a big night,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We put 11 runs on the board. We just didn’t pitch well enough tonight.”
The game was marked by big swings, with the D-backs taking a 4-1 lead after four innings. The Cubs responded with four runs in the fifth before the D-backs scored four runs in the bottom of the inning for an 8-5 lead.
It was another tough outing for Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, who gave up seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. The veteran right-hander has been hit hard in all four starts this year and now has a 12.71 ERA.
Michael Busch’s five-game home run streak has come to an end. The Cubs rookie – who tied a franchise record with his string of long balls – was 0 of 4 with walk and run scores.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a two-run home run and Pederson added a solo shot in the third inning to give the Diamondbacks a 4-1 lead. Gurriel has five home runs and 20 RBIs in 17 games.
D’backs lefty Tommy Henry gave up five runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings. Kevin Ginkel (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless 10th inning.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: Manager Craig Counsell told reporters that OF Seiya Suzuki (oblique) will likely be out for about four weeks, but the team will have a better schedule once he is symptom-free.
D-backs: Catcher Gabriel Moreno was a late scratch because of a sore right thumb. The team said he is still available to play and is considered day-to-day.
NEXT
The teams wrap up the three-game series on Wednesday afternoon. The D-backs will pitch RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-0, 6.48 ERA) and the Cubs counter LHP Jordan Wicks (0-2, 5.68 ERA)
