Contreras, Cubs rally for 4-2 victory over Diamondbacks

By: Scott Bordow, The Associated Press Posted: 6:41 PM CDT Saturday, Jul. 17, 2021 Last Modified: 7:48 PM CDT Saturday, Jul. 17, 2021

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PHOENIX (AP) — A little rest did a lot of good for Willson Contreras.

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PHOENIX (AP) — A little rest did a lot of good for Willson Contreras.

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PHOENIX (AP) — A little rest did a lot of good for Willson Contreras.

The durable catcher capped Chicago’s three-run ninth inning with a two-run homer, sending the Cubs to a 4-2 victory over the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Contreras had three hits and scored twice. He has played in 82 of Chicago’s 92 games this season, and manager David Ross said he benefitted from the All-Star break.

Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras (40) gets tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed, left, while trying to steal second base in the third inning during a baseball game, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

“He’s carrying a heavy load for us this year,” Ross said. “For him to get his legs under him at the All-Star break and come through like he did tonight. That’s the right-handed hitter he’s capable of being. He’s pretty good in the box.”

Chicago was down 2-1 before it rallied with two out in the ninth. Rafael Ortega doubled and scored on Robinson Chirinos’ pinch-hit single off Joakim Soria (1-4). Contreras then hit a drive to left for his 14th homer.

Contreras said he took four days off during the break, and it “was really refreshing on my body. Of course I want to play every single day, but I also understand the body needs at least one off day.”

Rex Brothers (3-2) got three outs for the win, and All-Star Craig Kimbrel worked the ninth for his 21st save. It was career save No. 369 for Kimbrel, snapping a tie with Jonathan Papelbon for ninth on baseball’s all-time list.

It was the Cubs’ first win when trailing entering the ninth inning since Sept. 12, 2020, at Milwaukee.

Arizona wasted a strong performance by Zac Gallen, who threw 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in his return from the injured list. Gallen had been sidelined by a strained hamstring.

“He was fantastic,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “Gave up one run. He was in control of every inning. … Typical Zac stuff, a ton of swing and miss.”

Gallen said he wasn’t surprised by his sharpness because he missed just one start.

“I felt pretty crisp once I got out there and was able to make some pitches,” he said. “I was able to shape pitches the way I wanted to. Overall I was happy with it.”

Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez hits an RBI-double against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Gallen was visibly displeased when Lovullo pulled him in the sixth, and the two had a private conversation in the tunnel leading to Arizona’s dugout.

“I felt like I still had more in the tank,” Gallen said. “In that sense we butted heads.”

Nick Ahmed and Josh Rojas each drove in a run for the last-place Diamondbacks, who have dropped five of six.

“It’s like biting on an onion,” Lovullo said. “It’s painful. It hurts.”

The Diamondbacks jumped in front on Ahmed’s run-scoring groundout in the second, and Rojas made it 2-0 when he singled in Ahmed in the fifth.

Cubs right-hander Adbert Alzolay allowed five hits, struck out two and walked two in five innings.

The Cubs rallied in the sixth. Contreras singled with one out, advanced on a walk by Anthony Rizzo and scored on Javier Báez’s double off the wall in center.

Chicago had a chance for more, but Kris Bryant to hit a ground ball to third baseman Eduardo Escobar, who threw Rizzo out at home. Gallen then was replaced by left-hander Joe Mantiply, who retired Jason Heyward on a line drive to center.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: RHP Luke Weaver (shoulder) and RHP Taylor Clarke (shoulder) threw bullpen sessions. Lovullo said the coaching staff isn’t certain whether Weaver will rejoin the rotation or pitch out of the bullpen when returns. … RHP Tyler Clippard (shoulder) threw 26 pitches in an inning of work for Triple-A Reno on Friday. His next step is uncertain, Lovullo said.

UP NEXT

RHP Zach Davies (5-6, 4.38 ERA) will take the mound for the Cubs against Arizona’s RHP Merrill Kelly (5-7, 4.46) in the finale of the three-game series.

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