Rizzo drives in six as Cubs snap D-backs' streak
PHOENIX -- Anthony Rizzo drove in six runs, including three on a game-winning home run with one out in the ninth inning to power the Cubs to a 9-6 win over the D-backs on Saturday night at Chase Field.
Rizzo also hit a three-run double in the fifth, and the six RBIs matched his career high, set Sept. 16, 2012, against the Pirates. He delivered the tie-breaking homer off of D-backs reliever Enrique Burgos, launching a slider to right field.
"At the end of the day, Rizzo took care of business," Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta said. "He put us on his back and carried us to victory. That's what I expect from him from time to time. He's our best player. He's elevated his game to a new level this year."
The D-backs bullpen allowed five runs in the final two innings, unable to preserve a 6-4 lead they took into the eighth. The Cubs snapped the D-backs' five-game winning streak, and snapped a six-game losing streak they had against the D-backs.
"That's their guy, it's tough to watch him with six RBIs," D-backs manager Chip Hale said of Rizzo. "They got him up there in leverage situations, which is what you try to do with those guys. You can't walk them or even pitch around them. He did a good job, beat us tonight."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Delivering in the clutch: The Cubs loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, and Kris Bryant was hit by a pitch to force in a run and increase his team-leading RBI total to 29. Rizzo followed with a bases-clearing double to left to go ahead, 4-2. It was only Rizzo's third hit in his last 19 at-bats on this road trip to San Diego and Arizona.
Video: CHC@ARI: Rizzo hammers bases-clearing double to left
D-backs answer back: The D-backs took the lead back in the bottom of the fifth with a three-run double of their own. Nick Ahmed singled to lead off the inning, an error allowed him to reach second and A.J. Pollock to reach first, and Paul Goldschmidt walked to load the bases. David Peralta followed with a double off the wall in center to make it 5-4.
"We've been swinging the bat well," Hale said. "Guys who were not contributing are starting to contribute, which is huge. We've just got to keep it going in the right direction."
Kid stuff: Arrieta had given up one earned run in each of his last two starts, but was charged with six runs (three earned) over six innings. The Cubs' miscue came in the fifth when rookie second baseman Addison Russell bobbled Starlin Castro's flip at second. Manager Joe Maddon has cautioned about growing pains with the young infield. This was one of those times. More >
Bullpen falters The D-backs bullpen could not preserve a two-run lead in the eighth. J.C. Ramirez gave up a two-out single to Castro, prompting Hale to bring in lefty Oliver Perez to face the left-handed Miguel Montero. Perez hit Montero, then gave up a two-run double to Jorge Soler that tied the game at 6. Burgos then surrendered the game-winning homer the next inning. More >
Video: CHC@ARI: Soler drills two-run double to right-center
QUOTABLE
"He's in that really elite group of baseball players regarding how they work an at-bat. On top of that, he's a very good defender. Now he's turning into a really good baserunner. He's really elevated his game on all levels." -- Maddon on Rizzo More >
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The D-backs entered Saturday's game leading the Majors in two-out RBIs. They continued to be efficient with two down, as both Yasmany Tomas' two-run single and Peralta's three-run double came with two outs in the inning, pushing the D-backs' season total to 89.
Video: CHC@ARI: Tomas lines two-run single to right
REPLAY REVIEW
The Cubs won a challenge in the fourth. Bryant was at second with one out when Castro hit a grounder to shortstop Ahmed, who flipped to second baseman Aaron Hill, who made the tag. Bryant was called out, but after a review, the call was overturned. However, Montero then grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Video: CHC@ARI: Call at second overturned in the 4th
WHAT'S NEXT
Cubs: Jason Hammel will close the series Sunday. The right-hander has posted quality starts in each of his last five outings, and has given up six earned runs over 36 innings in that stretch for a 1.50 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. CT.
D-backs: Jeremy Hellickson takes the mound in search of his first win of the month and his first at Chase Field in the series finale. Hellickson has a 5.82 ERA in four May starts without a decision, but the right-hander had his best outing of the month so far on Tuesday at Miami when he allowed two runs on four hits in six innings.
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