Waldschmidt Homer Lifts Diamondbacks Past Cubs 5-4

Decisive Hit in the Ninth

Ryan Waldschmidt delivered the game-winning hit in the ninth inning, driving a ball to left field for a 408-foot home run that scored one other runner. The two-run blast lifted the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field on Wednesday.

The final score reflected a tight contest where both offenses struggled to string together consistent production until the late innings. Waldschmidt’s homer was the only multi-run play that ultimately decided the outcome, as the Diamondbacks erased an early deficit with timely hitting in the middle frames.

Scoring Sequence and Offensive Effort

Arizona trailed for most of the game after Chicago jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. Seiya Happ launched a 397-foot homer to right field, bringing home two additional runs from Suzuki and Busch. The Cubs extended their advantage to 4-0 in the sixth when Busch singled to left field, allowing Suzuki to cross the plate.

Arizona began chipping away at the lead in the eighth inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (referred to as Moreno in scoring logs) doubled to right field, driving in one run to make it 4-1. The following batter, Geraldo Perdomo, singled to center field, bringing both runners home and tying the game at 4-4. Perdomo advanced to second base on the play.

The Diamondbacks took the lead when Waldschmidt connected on his home run with two outs in the ninth. One other runner scored on the play, giving Arizona a 5-4 advantage that held until the final out.

Pitching Performances

Chicago’s starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt worked 6.2 innings for the Diamondbacks, allowing six hits and four earned runs while striking out three batters. He was supported by relief arms Dennis Santana, who pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout, and Justin Martinez, who recorded a win with one inning of work, yielding one hit and one strikeout without issuing a walk.

For the Cubs, Clay Holmes pitched 7.0 innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out five batters. He was credited with no earned runs allowed. Daniel Palencia entered in relief but struggled, giving up three earned runs on two hits and one walk over 0.2 innings.

Jacob Webb took the loss after pitching one inning, allowing two earned runs on one hit and one walk with no strikeouts.

Final Records

The victory improved Arizona’s record to 70-63. Chicago fell to 76-57. The game was played in front of 28,215 spectators at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816674