Diamondbacks 5, Cubs 6: Long Gone Game

I understand Descalso was visibly upset during the previous game’s fracas. So I was interested to see him lead-off today, turns out that excitement produced a lead-off strikeout for Descalso. The top half of 1st ended quickly after just 10 pitches by Luke Weaver. The Diamondbacks obliged Lefty Jose Quintana with an easy bottom of the 1st, as well.

The top of the 2nd inning Bote doubled then moved to 3rd base on a fielder’s choice. But a pop fly ended the Cubs threat. The Diamondbacks answered with absolutely nothing in the bottom of the 2nd.

The top of the 3rd inning was not as easy or short for Luke Weaver. He walked Schwarber to lead things off. Cub’s pitcher Quintana bunted to Flores who scooped it up and tossed to Ahmed for the a sweet force out at 2nd base. Weaver struggled after that. With 2 outs he gave up a 2 run home run to Bryant. Then, on his 50th pitch, Weaver hit Rizzo on the elbow. Although Rizzo was hanging over the plate and I doubt we would put Rizzo on to face Baez. Finally, Weaver struck out Baez on a very late strike 3 call pitch that was center cut down the plate. 2-0, Cubs.

The Diamondbacks threatened in the bottom of the 3rd when Carson Kelly hit a 1 out double to right field. Weaver then grounded out to the pitcher and Jones ended our threat with a pop up.

Weaver’s bad dream turned into a nightmare in the top half of the 4th. He started by cruising with back to back strikeouts, but Contreras smacked a 2 out solo home run. Schwarber then got on with a base hit to right followed by Quintana getting his very 1st hit of the season on a base hit to right field. Descalso popped out to Adam Jones ending the nightmare. 3-0, Cubs.

Finally the Diamondbacks offense answered in the bottom of the 4th. Esky mashed a solo home run and Walker snapped his series hit-less streak by sneaking a ball past Baez. Dbacks failed to plate Walker. 3-1, Cubs.

Weaver saw his night end in the top of the 5th after handing Rizzo a 1 out standing double. In all Weaver gave up 6 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, and 2 dongs on 96 pitches - He struck out 5. Lopez came in relief throwing 6 pitches to get the last 2 outs. Carson Kelly led off the bottom of the 5th by getting absolutely robbed by Bote on a hit that should have been an easy double. Vargas pitch hit for Lopez but that ended in a ground out. Still 3-1, Cubs.

Chafin took the top half of the 6th and aside from a 2 out double by Schwarber, Andrew got the job done with little damage. Bottom of the 6th Esky blessed all of us with his 2nd dong of the game, a 418 ft 2 run homer to tie the game. Brach relieved Quintana and loaded the bases for Carson Kelly who struck out looking ending the 6th.

Hirano set the Cubs down in order in the 7th. Cishek replaced Brach and with 2 outs, walked Marte who is then picked off at 1st base after a few pitches thrown by Cishek.

Bradley got the call for the 8th and my drywall repair man was on stand-by. Luckily for my wallet and Bradley, Archie ended the 8th by striking out Contreras. Cishek remained in the game for the Cubs in the bottom of the 8th and ended the Diamondbacks when Walker struck out looking. Walker’s struggles continued against the Cubs, he could be seen barking at the umpire on his way back to the dugout.

Holland worked the top half of the 9th striking out 1, walking 1 and leaving a runner on base. Strop took the ball in the bottom of the 9th for the Cubs and brought the game to extra innings after finishing the 9th with 2 strikeouts.

Jon Duplantier completed 3 outs on 5 pitches in the top of the 10th inning. To start the Diamondback's 10th, Dyson led off with a single past Rizzo but then Jones then rolled everyone into a double play. Marte proceeded to show us how it’s done and launched one over the center fielder for an easy stand up triple. The rally finished there with Esky popping out to Heyward. Duplantier returned to the mound to start the 11th, he retired the side in order - now sitting at 15 total pitches thrown in 2 innings, for 6 outs. Still 3-3 tie.

Kintzler took the ball for the Cubs in the 11th and even faced Duplantier, striking him out after a full count. Duplantier again returned to the mound for the Dbacks and allowed lead off single to start the 12th inning by Almora, followed by Zobrist walking. Duplantier then hit Bryant with a pitch loading the bases loaded. Fortunately the next batter (Rizzo) struck out. More fortune after the very next batter Baez popped out to the infield. Duplantier gave a massive fist bump to the Gods after Bote grounded out to Ahmed, getting out of the bases-loaded jam!

Ahmed started the bottom of the 12th inning with a single off Kintzler, but Carson Kelly rolled everyone into a double play. Dyson then grounded out. Top of the 13th and Duplantier hit another batter, this time Contreras. A wild pitch moved Contreras to 2nd base and the next batter, Zagunis, walked. Duplantier threw another wild pitch and Kelly was unable to make a throw to 3rd base allowing Contreras to make it safely. Almora struck out swinging. The inning ended when Contreras (catcher) attempted to steal home on Carson Kelly’s throw back to the mound - Duplantier casually threw him out and we all laughed.

Dillon Maples pitched the bottom half of the 13th, Escobar and Peralta made it on base with 2 out, back to back walks. Christian Walker, who up until now only had one hit this entire series, walked as well and loaded the bases with 2 outs. Cubs Manager Maddon pulled Maples in a favor of Chatwood to face pitch-hitting JRM whom’st struck out in just 4 pitches.

Onto the 14th - Zobrist gets on base after a throwing error by Walker, followed with a fielding error by Andriese that put Bryant on base with no outs. a deep sacrifice fly moved Zobrist to 3rd. Bote reached on a fielder’s choice which saw Zobrist slaughtered in the force play at home but leaving the bases loaded and 2 outs. Again the Cubs leave the bases loaded after Heyward struck out swinging.

Chatwood remained in the game for the bottom of the 14th and issued a lead-off walk to Slick Nick Ahmed. Kelly struck out, Ahmed ran into a force out and Jones grounded out.

Top of the 15th, tied 3-3, Andriese continued to pitch. On a full count Chatwood hit a 1 out line-drive to center field. An up the middle single by Almora moved Chatwood to 3rd, who was seen limping after passing 1st base while running the bases on a double. Zobrist then tripled which resulted in 2 runs. A follow-up sac fly by Bryant scored Zobrist and then Rizzo struck out. 6-3, Cubs.

FFS. I am actually relieved but it still sucks, at this point a loss looks inevitable. Bottom of the 15th Kyle Ryan gave up back to back doubles to Peralta and Walker. Caleb Joseph delivered a clutch 2 run single to bring the score Dbacks to within 1 run. Unfortunately that would not be enough. Cubs win 6 - 5.

Some takeaways from the radio;

• The Diamondbacks came into this afternoon’s game looking to bounce back and win another home series - the last home series win was the home opener series against Boston.
• This was the 1st extra innings game this season for the Cubs.
• Duplantier pitched with Reno just 3 days ago.
• Home plate umpire Chris Guccione had quiet a few questionable calls and he also featured an ever expanding/contracting strike zone this game.
• Before this game, the D-backs only had 10 errors.
• Jones went 0 for 7.
• 2nd longest game in Chase field history 5 hours 35 mins.

Bells and whistles, by Jim

That WP for Duplantier is likely to be among the ten highest ever by a D-backs pitcher in an Arizona loss. The leader is Miguel Batista, who pitched 9 innings of one-hit, shutout ball against the Giants in 2002, worth +66.6%. The bullpen then lost the game 1-0, without recording an out. Present in the Gameday Thread were: AZPerson, Augdogs, AzDbackfanInDc, BobDolio, DeadManG, Diamondhacks, GuruB, Jack Sommers, James Attwood, Jim McLennan, Keegan Thompson, Makakilo, Michael McDermott, MikeDavisAZ, MikeMono, MrMrrbi, NikT77, Rockkstarr12, Schilling2001, Sprankton, asteroid, chronicles_of_the_desert, kilnborn, onedotfive, ponus, pyroman168 and suroeste. Comment of the game to Michael:

There’s one of those opening not far from Salt River Fields, later this year. Off-day tomorrow - the bullpen will welcome that! - then the Yankees come to town for a quick two-day set. It should be Merrill Kelly starting on Tuesday, but things may get switched up. We’ll see.