Pham's Two Homers Powers D-backs to Victory in Chicago
On a day that a top prospect debuted, it was the 10-year veteran who keyed the D-backs lineup in a 6-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. Tommy Pham slugged out a pair of home runs, driving in three runs.
"He's the guy we lean on for a lot of different reasons," said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "It's the stability of the at-bat, stability of the conversation, just a professionalism that he walks around with every single day. It was nice to see him hit two home runs in a big way and contribute. Those were big blows, and I think it made a statement that we're ready to play."
In addition to Pham's big night at the plate, Ketel Marte contributed a home run and drove in the D-backs' other three runs. He slugged a third inning home run, his 22nd of the year, that expanded the D-backs lead to three runs and they never looked back from there. Marte drove in another run in the ninth, scoring Corbin Carroll after the D-backs rookie collected his 42nd stolen base of the year.
Jordan Lawlar made his MLB debut today, finishing the game 1-for-4 with an infield single to third.
"It was exciting," said Lawlar. "I was running down the line and halfway and I'm like 'It's not there yet, it's not there yet, Bellinger's not stretching for it' so I'm like just run hard."
The D-backs top prospect said he settled in around the third inning, after that second at-bat. He also added this impressive stop on a hard-hit grounder in the hole off the bat of Nico Hoerner to start the fourth.
Ryne Nelson, who was making his first start since being recalled from Triple-A Reno, held the Cubs to one run in 5 2/3 innings. He took a no-hit bid into the fifth before a Seiya Suzuki one-out triple led to the Chicago's only run against the rookie right-hander. Nelson finished with just two hits allowed, walked two, and struck out three, earning his seventh win of the season.
"I noticed the sweeper and slider had a lot of tilt to it, had a lot of angle to it, had the right speed" said Lovullo. "He was very receptive to what needed to happen, and a lot of credit goes to Strommie, but really the majority of the credit should go to Nelly for trusting and going down there and getting it done."
Handed a 3-1 lead, Arizona's bullpen retired the first seven hitters that allowed the offense to open this game up late. The Cubs put up a late rally in the ninth, but it was squashed by Emmanuel Rivera on a Suzuki hard grounder to hand closer Paul Sewald his 31st save of the year and 10th with the D-backs. Rivera had entered the game as a defensive replacement for Lawlar.
"I just feel like I have two elite defenders with [Geraldo] Perdomo and Rivera, that's how I want to finish the game" said Lovullo.
With the win, coupled with a 10-0 loss by the Marlins to the Dodgers, the D-backs (73-68) regain position for the third National League Wild Card spot. They begin the second of a four-game series against the Cubs tomorrow, with ace Zac Gallen squaring off against right-hander Jameson Taillon at 11:20am MST.
