To kick off a critical four-game series against the Cubs, Ryne Nelson, fresh off the IL, delivered 5.2 excellent innings, leading the Diamondbacks to a 6-2 win.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In front of a hostile Chicago crowd, Nelson successfully silenced a red-hot Cubs’ offense in his first start since August 11th. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits.
This stellar performance set the stage for the Diamondbacks’ early offensive surge.
After Tommy Pham gave the snakes a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a solo home run, Ketel Marte then added some cushion with a two-run bomb in the third inning.
Pham wrapped up the night by going 2-5 at the plate, including one more home run. Pham and Ketel Marte drove in all six of the Diamondbacks’ runs with three RBIs apiece.
Tommy Pham extends the Diamondbacks lead with his second home run of the night!
(via @Dbacks)pic.twitter.com/SuDyDlEx4O
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 8, 2023
They did this off Javier Assad, who just threw 8 shutout innings against the Reds last week.
Although the Cubs managed to tack on a run in the 5th inning, thanks to a one-out triple, they only mustered three more hits in the latter four innings.
From the bullpen, Andrew Saalfrank, Ryan Thompson, and Kevin Ginkel tossed 2.1 shutout innings in relief.
The Cubs wouldn’t score again until the 9th inning with two outs. However, this run wasn’t nearly enough to make a difference as the Diamondbacks held on for a 6-2 win.
Now, both teams will need to rest up quickly as they are set to return to action tomorrow at 11:20 AM MST.
