Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (Simulated Game 9): Cubs 7, Diamondbacks 9 – Rizzo and Javy Go Back-to-Back, D-Backs Avoid Sweep

After dropping their first two series of the year, the Cubs (4-5) finally notched a series win against a scrappy D-Backs (5-5) team. Despite more heroics from Anthony Rizzo, however, Chicago was unable to complete a three-game sweep at Wrigley losing 9-7, via MLB The Show 20.

The Cubs took an early lead in the 3rd inning when Kris Bryant doubled and scored on a groundout from Javy Báez. Starter José Quintana was solid the first few innings before hitting big trouble in the 4th. Walks to Nick Ahmed and Ketel Marte set the table for former Cardinal Carson Kelly who blasted a hanging curve for a three-run jack.

Chicago was able to tie the game when Steven Souza Jr. bit the hand that once fed him, taking his old teammate Alex Young deep for a two-run homer in the bottom of the 6th.

The Cubs bullpen continued a troubling early pattern by struggling again on Sunday after Q was chased by a leadoff double in the 7th and replaced by Dan Winkler. Winkler allowed an infield hit and RBI singles to Christian Walker and Josh Rojas to give Arizona a 5-3 lead.

Casey Sadler relieved Winkler, but fared little better as he gave up a line-drive double to ex-Pirate star Starling Marte to build the road team’s lead to 7-3. The Cubs made a big push in the bottom of the frame as Rizzo hit a two-run bomb, his third in as many games. Báez followed him with no-doubter to make it back-to-back shots.

That was as close as Chicago would get, since Jeremy Jeffress surrendered another two-run double to Marte in the 9th inning. The Cubs scored again and brought the winning run to the plate in their last at-bat, but a Willson Contreras grounder went right to the slick-fielding Ahmed at short for a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.

Key Players:

Bryant – 4-for-5, 2B, 3 R
Rizzo – 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Baez – 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Souza – 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
S. Marte – 2-for-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI
Escobar – 2-for-4, 2B, R
Kelly – 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI

Winning Pitcher – Young (1-1)
Losing Pitcher – Quintana (0-1)
Save – Chafin (5)
Home Runs – Rizzo (3), Baez (2), Souza (1), Kelly (1)

Sunday Standings:
Reds – 7-2
Brewers – 6-3
Pirates – 4-5
Cubs – 4-5
Cardinals – 3-6