What a ridiculous, thrilling, frustrating, and ultimately disappointing game.
The game was set to start at 1:20 pm CT, but a rain delay – the first of THREE on the day – kicked that to 2:50 pm CT, and it didn’t ultimately end until 8 pm CT.
The Diamondbacks came out swinging, and put up a four spot on Jose Quintana in the first inning. With Zack Greinke going, you kinda figured that might be that, but the Cubs battled back, not only making a game of it, but briefly holding a lead. Too brief, as the bullpen really dropped the ball in this one, and the Diamondbacks won the kind of game each team absolutely hates to lose.
Willson Contreras had a ridiculous game, homering twice, and temporarily giving the Cubs the lead in the 7th inning with a two-run single. Yes, Contreras inexplicably tried to bunt in the 9th inning as the tying run, putting himself in a hole and ultimately striking out, but his overall day stands as tremendous.
Unfortunately, Paul Goldschmidt was at least Contreras’s equal, homering three times, and proving the difference in the game. I guess he’s considered a superstar for a reason.
Fun fact: the teams went an identical 3-13 with runners in scoring position, and left an identical 8 on base. The biggest difference in the game was the D-Backs’ five homers. Tough to win a game with that many long balls on the other side.
How crazy was this one? As a reliever, Wade Davis has NEVER given up two homers in an appearance, and he gave up the decisive shots back-to-back in the 9th.