Grit Index: D-backs bats come alive late in win over Cubs

Jun 2, 2013, 5:43 AM | Updated: 5:44 am

The Arizona Diamondbacks set season-highs in runs (12) and hits (17) in a 12-4 win over the Cubs after a 2-hour, 21-minute rain delay at Wrigley Field on Saturday night.

Gerardo Parra led off the game with a home run for Arizona. It was his fifth longball of the season and the fourth time he’s led off a game with a homer.

Nate Schierholtz hit a solo home run and added an RBI double for the Cubs, staking starter Jeff Samardzija to a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately for Samardzija, Chicago’s bullpen faltered late, costing him the victory.

Paul Goldschmidt unleashed a tie-breaking grand slam in the eighth inning off of Cubs’ reliever Carlos Marmol, and Arizona’s bats erupted for eight runs over the game’s final two innings.

Ian Kennedy (3-3) surrendered four runs on three hits in seven innings of work, and retired 20 of the last 21 Cubs he faced.

The Good

Paul Goldschmidt hit his first career regular season grand slam, his 13th longball of the season, to break a 4-4 tie in the eighth. Goldschmidt went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs to raise his batting .average to 332.

Willie Bloomquist, who has been sidelined with an oblique injury, made a splash in his season debut. Bloomquist went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk.

Noted

• The D-backs’ 17 hits were the most ever they’ve amassed at Wrigley Field. Arizona also won for just the second time in 12 games at Wrigley.

• Arizona placed right-hander Brandon McCarthy on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation and recalled right-hander Randall Delgado from Triple-A Reno prior to Saturday’s contest.

• The Cubs bullpen got torched, allowing nine runs on 10 hits with four walks in 2.3 innings.

What’s Next

The D-backs and Cubs will play the series finale of their three-game set on Sunday, June 2 at Wrigley Field at 11:20 a.m. Right-hander Patrick Corbin (8-0, 1.71) looks to keep his perfect record intact. He will be opposed by right-hander Edwin Jackson (1-7, 6.11) of the Cubs. The game can be heard on Arizona Sports 620.

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Chicago Cubs' Reed Johnson hits a two-run triple against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Cubs' Reed Johnson slides into third base after hitting a two-run triple against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Cubs' Geovany Soto, right, slides safely into second after hitting a one-run double as Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Augie Ojeda waits for the ball during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Cubs starter Randy Wells looks at the score board as he walks back to the dugout during the top of the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Chicago, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Daniel Cabrera wipes his face during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs during the inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A baseball fan holds a sign during the second inning of a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg waves before throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Young strikes out during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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