D-backs rough up Justin Steele, gain on Cubs

[September 16, 2023]  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Alek Thomas each smacked a three-run homer to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night at Phoenix.

Gurriel's blast came in the first inning, and Thomas went deep in the sixth. Gabriel Moreno went 4-for-4 for the Diamondbacks (77-72), who are tied with the Cincinnati Reds (77-72) for the National League's third wild-card berth.

Sep 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) turns the double play while avoiding Chicago Cubs center fielder Mike Tauchman (40) in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona is just 1 1/2 games behind the second-place Cubs (78-70) in the wild-card race after beating them for the fourth time in five meetings over the past nine days.

Brandon Pfaadt (2-8) gave up four hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings to earn his second major league win in his 17th appearance (16th start). He struck out six and walked one while helping Arizona halt a three-game slide.

Chicago Cy Young Award candidate Justin Steele (16-4) served up both homers on first-pitch sliders while losing for the first time since July 16. Steele gave up a season-worst six earned runs and allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings.

Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Christopher Morel all homered in the ninth for the Cubs, who have lost three straight games and six of their past eight. Chicago is 5 1/2 games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers (83-64) in the NL Central.

In the ninth, Kyle Nelson served up Happ's solo shot to left and Suzuki's two-run blast to left. It was the 18th homer of the season for both players.

Paul Sewald entered with one out and Morel hammered his first pitch over the wall in left to pull Chicago within two on his 23rd homer of the season. Sewald then retired the next two hitters to end it.

Arizona grabbed the lead in the bottom of the first as Ketel Marte led off with a single and Christian Walker drew a two-out walk. Gurriel followed with his 24th homer of the season, a 413-foot blast to left for a 3-0 lead.

In the sixth, Walker walked and Moreno laced a two-out single. After a mound visit, Thomas hammered the first pitch from Steele over the fence in right-center field for his ninth homer of the season.

--Field Level Media

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