Gabriel Moreno has 3 hits, scores twice and has RBI in Diamondbacks’ win over Cubs originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
CHICAGO (AP) — Gabriel Moreno had three hits, scored twice and ran and Ryne Nelson pitched five-plus solid innings, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
Nelson (7-6) struck out nine batters and allowed just three hits as Arizona won for the seventh time in 10 games. Reliever Ryan Thompson escaped a no-out jam in the eighth inning, allowing one run, and Paul Sewald pitched the ninth inning for his 14th save.
“I’m trying to just take one ride at a time or one day at a time. … I feel like keeping that balanced mentality, even when I’m pitching, it’s one pitch at a time and I try to be present,” Nelson said. “I think that mentality has really helped me a lot.”
Christian Walker singled off Moreno and Ketel Marte to cap a three-run third inning off Cubs starter Justin Steele (2-4). Moreno scored in the first run. Randal Grichuk and Corbin Carroll also ran for Arizona.
The Diamondbacks’ hot streak could determine whether the defending National League champions will be buyers or sellers at the July 30 trade deadline.
Steele allowed five runs on nine hits before being pulled after 4 2/3 innings. A strength of Chicago’s pitching staff, Steele had not allowed more than three runs in a game in his previous nine starts, a span dating back to May 22.
“We’re just good hitters, you know, and I think we have a good game plan,” Arizona coach Torey Luvolla said. “So what exactly it is I don’t know. I know they go in there with a really good idea of how to attack each pitcher and it certainly worked today against Steele.”
A double by Nico Hoerner preceded two consecutive walks issued by Justin Martinez who loaded the Cubs’ bases with no outs in the eighth inning. Thompson gave up a sacrifice fly to Ian Happ before leaving the inning.
“I have no problem with the way the intensity of the game increased and we had to wait a while. That got us back in the groove. You know, I have no problem with that,” Luvolla said. “The boys went there and executed it.”
Christopher Morel drove in Michael Busch on a single to center field in the sixth inning for the Cubs’ other run.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: LHP Jordan Montgomery (knee) is expected to return to the rotation during next week’s series against the Kansas City Royals.
Cubs: OF Mike Tauchman (groin) was activated from the 10-day injured list. He landed as a pinch hitter and threw two innings in center field. … OF Alexander Canario was acquired by Triple-A Iowa. … LHP Jordan Wicks (oblique) was placed on the 60-day injured list. … RHP Jesus Tinoco was called up from Triple-A and pitched two scoreless innings.
NEXT
The Diamondbacks will start RHP Zac Gallen (6-5, 3.87 ERA). The Cubs listed RHP Kyle Hendricks (2-7, 6.78 ERA) to start Saturday.
