Dbacks vs Cubs: Ahmed’s Career Game

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The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs were involved in a closely contested matchup that required extra innings. Thirteen innings to be exact, and it was the Dbacks that came out victorious in dramatic fashion. They extended their winning streak to five and it featured some heroic acts.

The Dbacks have shown a habit of scoring in the 1st inning and tonight was no different. After an A.J. Pollock triple, Paul Goldschmidt drove him in with an RBI single. Goldy’s RBI amount is among the Top 5 in the National League. Goldy also stole his 7th base of the season with Lester practically handing them out.

In the 3rd inning, Dexter Fowler smacked his 5th home run of the season to the tie the game. The next inning, Chicago managed to get runners on 1st and 3rd but only escaped with one run. In the bottom of the 5th, Nick Ahmed (of all people) tied the game back up with a home run of his own. It was the first big fly of 2015 for Ahmed.

May 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock (11) celebrates with left fielder David Peralta (6) and Chip Hale after scoring in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Collmenter did enough to keep his ball club in the game. It was a much better outing than his previous two, but the Cubs were hitting everything hard, especially the outs. He went 5 innings, gave up 2 runs/6 hits, and struck out four. Jon Lester provided yet another quality start. He went 7 strong while allowing 2 runs/5 hits and striking out four. Neither starting pitcher would factor in the decision.

The bullpen would be tasked to guide the Dbacks through the rest of the game. Daniel Hudson started things off great with two scoreless innings in the 6th and 7th. Enrique Burgos had a perfect 8th, while Brad Ziegler and Oliver Perez took care of the 9th inning.

In the 10th inning, Addison Reed was called upon to maintain the tie and was unsuccessful. Reed walked Fowler, who stole 2nd base and then scored on a Kris Bryant single. A single by Starlin Castro drove in another run and it chased Reed out of the ball game. It was now a 4-2 Cubs advantage, one they would not hold on to.

May 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) celebrates with center fielder A.J. Pollock (11) after hitting a two run home run in the tenth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Hector Rondon came on in the bottom of the 10th and immediately got the first two outs. Then Pollock kept the game alive with his double. Goldy came up and once his at bat was over, the Cubs weren’t leading anymore. It was Superhero Night at Chase Field and it made perfect sense that Goldy smacked a two run homer to tie up the game. On to the 11th we went.

In the 12th inning, Inciarte drew a walk and Pollock smacked a single. Goldy came up to the plate but was walked intentionally. Yasmany Tomas and Jordan Pacheco proceeded to strike out to extend the game. In the top of the 13th, the Cubs loaded up the bases up Randall Delgado was able to get out of the jam.

The game finally ended in the bottom of the 13th. A Tuffy Gosewisch double got things started and it was Ahmed that drove him in to win the game. Delgado (2-2) will be credited with the victory, while Zac Rosscup (1-1) gave up the winning run.

Arizona (20-21) and Chicago (23-18) will return to Chase Field on Saturday night.

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