Diamondbacks sweep Cubs with 6-2 win, pass Chicago in NL wild-card race
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 17: Nico Hoerner #2 of the Chicago Cubs fields a ground ball during the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 17, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
PHOENIX - Ketel Marte homered and Arizona got a great performance from its bullpen as the Diamondbacks defeated the skidding Chicago Cubs 6-2 on Sunday to pass them for the second National League wild-card spot.
Arizona completed a three-game sweep and handed the Cubs their fifth straight loss. The Diamondbacks won three of four last weekend at Wrigley Field and finished 6-1 against Chicago this season.
The latest victory moved Arizona a half-game ahead of Chicago for the second NL wild card, while the Cubs fell into a tie with Miami for the league’s final playoff spot. Cincinnati is a half-game behind, and San Francisco is two back.
Four relievers combined to pitch 5 2/3 scoreless innings for Arizona, giving up three hits and no walks.
The Diamondbacks jumped in front with a three-run first inning against rookie left-hander Jordan Wicks (3-1). They loaded the bases with no outs, and Christian Walker blooped one into center for an RBI, though he lost the hit when Corbin Carroll was forced at third base on a throw from center fielder Mike Tauchman.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. followed with an RBI double, and Emmanuel Rivera added a sacrifice fly.
Marte’s two-run homer off José Cuas in the sixth made it 5-2, and the Diamondbacks added a run on Jace Peterson’s RBI double in the seventh.
Luis Frías (1-0) got five outs for the win.
Chicago scored in the second on Tauchman’s RBI single. After loading the bases with nobody out in the third, the Cubs settled for one run on Cody Bellinger’s double-play grounder.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo, who pulled starter Zach Davies in the fifth inning Saturday, had an even quicker hook Sunday for Ryne Nelson. He went 3 1/3 innings, giving up two runs, four hits and three walks.
Wicks, making his fifth major league start, lasted 4 1/3 innings for the Cubs. He allowed four hits and three runs, walked three and struck out three.
BRIGHT LIGHTS
The Diamondbacks made their first appearance on ESPN’s "Sunday Night Baseball" since May 13, 2018, at home against Washington.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: 3B Nick Madrigal (hamstring tightness) was out of the lineup. Chicago manager David Ross said the infielder would be evaluated after Monday’s off day.
Diamondbacks: RHP Scott McGough was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Arizona recalled RHP Bryce Jarvis from Triple-A Reno and he closed out the game with two hitless innings. ... Lovullo said RHP Drey Jameson (elbow) will have Tommy John surgery, after attempting to rehab his injury. Jameson, who was 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 40 2/3 innings this season, last pitched on July 6.
UP NEXT
Cubs: Return home to play Pittsburgh on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series. Chicago had not announced a scheduled starter.
Diamondbacks: Host the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday in the first of two games. Arizona had not announced a scheduled starter.