Two three-run homers were all the Diamondbacks needed to end their three-game skid and improve to 4-1 on the season against the Cubs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In front of the home crowd at Chase Field, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the D-backs on the board early with a signature blast over the left field fence.
An early lead for the @Dbacks courtesy of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 🐍 pic.twitter.com/t8PVBvDtGI
— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2023
On the mound for Arizona was rookie Brandon Pfaadt, who delivered five shutout innings while allowing just four hits. Tonight marked Pfaadt’s second shutout outing of his young career, and he also brought his ERA down to a season low of 5.86.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks tacked on three more runs in the sixth inning with another three-run bomb. This time it was Alek Thomas.
Alek Thomas goes yard to double the Dbacks lead against their competitor in the WC race!
Cy Young candidate Justin Steele allows two 3-run home runs tonight… pic.twitter.com/7OdQJPNM7Y
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 16, 2023
To make this pair of home runs even more impressive, they came off of Cubs’ ace Justin Steele, who is currently 2nd in the NL Cy Young race.
Steele’s night ended after he allowed six earned runs on seven hits in six innings. It was the first time that the 28-year-old allowed at least six earned runs all season. He entered the game with a 2.49 ERA.
It was not until the ninth inning where the Cubs managed to break through offensively. With Kyle Nelson in to close the game for Arizona, Ian Happ greeted him with a solo home run. Then a few batters later, Seiya Suzuki brought in two more with another home run.
As a result, the Diamondbacks were forced to bring out closer Paul Sewald to get the final two outs. Sewald did allow one more solo home run, but the Diamondbacks were able to cling on for a 6-4 win.
With this win, the D-backs are now tied with the Cincinnati Reds for the third and final Wild Card spot.
