Chicago Cubs win extra-inning affair in series finale vs. D-backs

It’s a good thing the Chicago Cubs have an off-day tomorrow because they played just about everybody in a 6-5 win in 15 innings over the Diamondbacks in the series finale.

It’s hard to remember as I write this, but I’m pretty sure the Chicago Cubs started Jose Quintana in this game. But that was several hours ago, and I was starting to get punchy around the 13th inning. It was a 4:10 p.m. ET start. It’s now almost 11 p.m. my time, and I’m just getting a chance to write the reaction piece. When you see it, it will be morning because I believe most people went to bed after that marathon.

What can you say? Quintana was on cruise control; Cubs had put up three runs on home runs by Kris Bryant (Good to see) and Willson Contreras. Then Quintana gave up a solo shot to Eduardo Escobar. No big deal, right? He went right back to attacking the next hitter. We’re up two, no worries. Then Escobar happened, again.

This time in the bottom of the sixth with Ketel Marte on base, Escobar hit his second of the game to tie it at 3-3. This was about where I lost track of time and maybe space. I don’t even know. What I do know is that Quintana pitched another solid game. If this is his version of ‘bad,’ I’ll take this all year long.

The Cubs bullpen responded by allowing just two runs in 9 1/3 innings. Kyle Ryan had been pitching well, but this wasn’t his night. He struck out the first two batters but failed to record the final out. Allen Webster was brought in, and without question added to the drama by allowing a LONG flyout to Nick Ahmed, which was caught by Ben Zobrist in left–on the track–against the wall.

Speaking of Zobrist, Jim Deshaies (JD) designated it Ben Zobrist day. It indeed was as he collected his first extra-base hit of the year, scoring Chatwood and Almora. Side note, Chatwood started the rally with a double of his old friend and high school teammate, Matt Andriese. It did appear that Chatwood may have tweaked something, but he seemed in good spirits in the dugout after scoring on Zobrist’s double.

The chances that I put this reaction in order is, at best, suspect. Long game, four-month-old needing to be asleep, and a tired poppa? I did my best. The end result, the Cubs win and move to two games over .500, moving into second all alone, 2 1/2 behind the Cardinals.

The Cubs are off tomorrow before heading to Seattle on Tuesday. Cole Hamels (3-0, 3.16) will take the hill against the Mariners’ Felix Hernadez (1-2, 3.91.)