Nick Ahmed hits first-career grand slam in fifth inning against Cubs

Jul 26, 2018, 1:30 PM | Updated: 8:54 pm

Cardinals reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

It looked like the Arizona Diamondbacks were going to be locked in a back-and-forth affair through four innings against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.

That was until D-backs shortstop Nick Ahmed stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded.

IT. FINALLY. HAPPENED!!! @NickAhmed13 smashes a grand slam to propel the @dbacks to a big lead! pic.twitter.com/ndpMK4Egax

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) July 26, 2018

Crushed.

Ahmed’s long ball marked the first D-backs’ grand slam since J.D. Martinez’s on Sept. 26, 2017. It was the first on the road since Martinez hit one on July 27, 2017, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Entering play Thursday, The D-backs were just one of three teams without a grand slam this season. The other two? The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels.

Ahmed clearly had the hot hand. After the grand slam, the shortstop was 2-for-3 on the day with a double, two runs scored and four RBI.

His defense paid dividends too.

.@NickAhmed13 is doing it all today. #SlickNick pic.twitter.com/bmpuVKoy0M

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 26, 2018

On the season, Ahmed was hitting .234 from the plate with 13 homers and 48 RBI. His grand slam was the first of his career.

With the swing of his bat, Ahmed made it 6-1.

Ahmed’s heroics weren’t enough, however, as the Cubs came back from the deficit, winning off of a walk-out homer by Anthony Rizzo to seal a 7-6 victory.

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Godley (52) throws the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier (16) follows through on a single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Orange is the New Black actresses, Kate Mulgrew, left, Taylor Schilling, center, and Dascha Polanco, right, react after throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras, bottom, is safe at home as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Alex Avila (5) makes a late tag during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras, left, slides safely past Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Alex Avila (5) during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras (40) runs back to the dugout after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Alex Avila (5) hits a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Alex Avila (5) is greeted by Zack Godley (52) after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed (13) watches his grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed hits a grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed (13) is greeted by Ketel Marte (4) after hitting a grand slam against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed (13) is greeted by Alex Avila (5) after hitting a grand slam home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood throws the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

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