Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo drives in career-high six in win

Rizzo drives in six, Arrieta struggles

Anthony Rizzo hit a bases-clearing double and a go-ahead three-run home run as the Chicago Cubs rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks and even the series with a 9-6 win Saturday.

After Dexter Fowler laced a one-out single and Kris Bryant reached on what was initially ruled an error on Yasmany Tomas, Rizzo followed with the game-winning blast, a towering shot to right-center field against Enrique Burgos, who could be in-line to become the Arizona closer in the near future.

Chicago (24-18) got a less-than-stellar performance from starter Jake Arrieta, who allowed a season-high six earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work. He struck out seven, walking a pair, before turning things over to the bullpen.

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After Rizzo propelled the Cubs ahead 4-2 in the top of the fifth, David Peralta lined a ball off the base of the left-center field wall for a bases-clearing double of his own to put Arizona back on top 5-4. The Diamondbacks added an insurance run against Arrieta in the bottom of the sixth when Tuffy Gosewich hit his first home run of the year to make it 6-4.

Chicago tied things on a two-run double off the bat of Jorge Soler in the seventh that scored Starlin Castro and former Arizona catcher Miguel Montero, who raced around to scored from first on the two-bagger.

Arizona (20-22) opened the scoring early-on when Yasmany Tomas hit a two-run double in the first off Arrieta. The score remained 2-0 Diamondbacks until the top of the fifth, when the Cubs scored their first run after Kris Bryant was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Rizzo followed with his three-run double.

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Rubby De La Rosa did his part for the Dbacks, allowing four earned runs in six innings of work, striking out eight. Offensively, Arizona was led by Peralta’s three-run double, as well as Tomas’ two RBI.

The six runs batted in tied a career-high for Rizzo, who is now tied with Bryant for the team lead with 29 RBI on the year. Pedro Strop pitched the ninth for Chicago, picking up the save.

What’s Next:

After dropping a heartbreaker on Friday in the opener, the Cubs overcame Arrieta’s poor start to even things up Saturday. The Cubs will look to salvage the finale on Sunday afternoon behind right-hander Jason Hammel (3-1, 2.70). Arizona will counter with former Tampa Bay Rays lefty Jeremy Hellickson (1-3, 5.52).

Next: Cubs' Bryant still impressive one month into career