The Sports Xchange
Aug 13, 2017
PHOENIX -- Javier Baez, Ian Happ and Kris Bryant homered and Jake Arrieta continued his second-half surge in the Chicago Cubs' 7-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday at Chase Field.
Baez hit a three-run homer and Happ followed with a pinch-hit homer when the Cubs scored four runs in the eighth inning for a 6-1 lead. Bryant hit a bases-empty homer in the ninth.
Arrieta (12-8) gave up three hits and one run as the Cubs (61-55) regained a one-game lead in the tight National League Central race. St. Louis (61-57) lost to Atlanta and Milwaukee (61-59) beat Cincinnati on Sunday.
Arrieta struck out six and walked three in his sixth consecutive start since the All-Star break. His ERA is 1.94 since the break.
With a runner on second and one out in the eighth, Jason Heyward was intentionally walked to bring up Baez, who homered to make it 5-1.
Bryant had three hits and scored from second on a wild pitch and Baez had two hits for the Cubs, who had lost three of four to fall into a first-place tie with St. Louis.
Third baseman Jake Lamb had three hits and Paul Goldschmidt homered in the ninth inning for the Diamondbacks (65-52), who have lost four of five.
Arizona right-hander Zack Godley (5-5) gave up four hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out eight, walked four and threw three wild pitches.
Bryant's aggressive baserunning led to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Bryant singled with one out and Anthony Rizzo walked before Victor Caratini struck out on a pitch that bounced to the screen.
Bryant, running on a 3-2 count, scored all the way from second, just beating the play at the plate after Godley had fallen down on the mound following his delivery.
Baez singled with one out in the second, was sacrificed to second and scored on Jon Jay's double.
Ketel Marte and Gregor Blanco walked to open the fifth inning before a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly by David Peralta made it 2-1.
NOTES: Arizona LHP Robbie Ray reported no ill effects from a 50-pitch simulated game Saturday, but there remains no timetable for his return to the rotation. "I think a (rehab) game where he can feel out how he is doing would be needed," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. ... Cubs SS Addison Russell (foot) was eligible to return from the disabled list Saturday, but it is unclear if he will return during Cubs' upcoming seven-game homestand. "I'd be surprised," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "Who know, though?" ... The Cubs will have "American Legion" week this week, when players are encouraged to report late to the clubhouse for the entire seven-game homestand. The concept is curtailing work on the field and a nod to a player's younger days. "When you are a kid in August and still playing baseball, you would work all day and you'd show up about half-hour before the game and you'd play," manager Joe Maddon said. "I just want them to show up and play." Beer sausages will be served. ... The teams drew 123,110 for the three-game series. The Cubs spend spring training in suburban Mesa and chants of "Javy, Javy" were heard after his homer.