Bote, Rizzo homer in 9th as Cubs rally past D-backs

[July 27, 2018]  David Bote tied the game with a one-out, two-run home run in the ninth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks closer Brad Boxberger, and Anthony Rizzo followed with a walk-off blast as the host Chicago Cubs rallied for three runs to record a dramatic 7-6 victory on Thursday.

Nick Ahmed belted his first career grand slam in the fifth inning to give Arizona a 6-1 lead, but the Cubs did the rest of the scoring to earn a split in the four-game series.

Ben Zobrist opened the last of the ninth with a walk. Boxberger (1-4) then got Javier Baez to line out before Bote hit an 0-2 pitch over the fence in center field to tie the game.

It was just the rookie's second homer of the season. Bote was recalled from Triple-A Iowa before the game when the Cubs placed third baseman Kris Bryant on the disabled list due to left shoulder inflammation.

Two pitches after Bote's long ball, Rizzo connected for his 13th homer of the season, a blast to right field to end it.

The blown save was Boxberger's fifth of the season.

Eddie Butler (1-1), who pitched a scoreless top of the ninth despite allowing a hit and a walk, was credited with the win.

Zack Godley pitched into the sixth inning, and batterymate Alex Avila supported him with a two-run homer, helping Arizona run up its big lead.

Thanks to Avila's fourth-inning homer, the Diamondbacks took a 2-1 lead into the fifth inning before Tyler Chatwood's wildness set the stage for Ahmed's dramatics.

Chatwood, the major league leader in walks, issued free passes to Paul Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock and, after a double play, Ketel Marte before getting pulled from the game with two outs and two aboard.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) hits an RBI single during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs left-hander Brian Duensing then walked Daniel Descalso, loading the bases for Ahmed, who brought everyone home with his 13th home run of the season.

The Cubs chipped away, closing within 6-3 in the last of the fifth on an RBI single by Rizzo and a run-producing error by Diamondbacks third baseman Descalso. The Cubs made it 6-4 in the sixth when Baez struck out, only to reach first base on a wild pitch by Godley that allowed Kyle Schwarber to score.

Rizzo finished with three hits and two RBIs while Schwarber added a pair of hits, including a double, for the Cubs, who have split their past eight games.

Chatwood allowed four runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked six and struck out four.

Ahmed scored twice and had two hits for the Diamondbacks, who won the first two games of the series before losing the last two.

David Peralta and Steven Souza Jr. each added a pair of hits for Arizona.

--Field Level Media

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