Diamondbacks Shut Out Cubs 3-0 on Saturday

In front of a Wrigley Field crowd of 39,595 and a national FOX audience, the Diamondbacks defeated the Cubs 3-0 on Saturday.Photo byBlake GuidryonUnsplash

Before a Wrigley Field crowd of 39,595 and a national FOX audience, the Arizona Diamondbacks (51-48) topped the Chicago Cubs (47-53) 3-0 on Saturday, utilizing timely home runs and strong relief pitching in the second game of their three-game series.

Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen (7-5, 3.64 ERA) relied heavily on his four-seam fastball (41%) and changeup (31%) during his five scoreless innings, earning his seventh win.

He allowed three hits, struck out four, and walked six on 102 pitches. Notably, only 52.9% of Gallen’s total pitches were strikes.

The 28-year-old right-hander contended with unusual inconsistency, including errant pitches, and struggled to close out early innings with two outs.

In a scary moment for Arizona fans, Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya lined a 91.2 mph shot off Gallen’s right foot in the bottom of the second inning with two outs.

Following a brief visit from the athletic trainer, Gallen finished the inning by getting Pete Crow-Armstrong to ground out.

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks (2-8, 6.69 ERA) pitched five innings, allowing three runs on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks. He threw 84 pitches and took the loss.

Game Recap

Hendricks, nicknamed "The Professor," maintained control through the first four innings by keeping the ball low in the zone and varying its movement. He adjusted his below-average velocity, pitching up and down as well as in and out.

However, two D-backs home runs in the fifth inning changed the game.

Alek Thomas gave the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead with a solo home run, ripping a Hendricks sinker 363 feet over the ivy-covered outfield wall.

Later in the inning, following a Geraldo Perdomo walk, Corbin Carroll launched his sixth home run of the season, a two-run, 418-foot blast to right-center, extending the Diamondbacks’ lead to 3-0.

The score remained 3-0 as the game entered the bottom of the ninth.

Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald took the mound, and Dansby Swanson lined out. Miles Mastrobuoni then doubled, but Crow-Armstrong struck out and Nico Hoerner flew out to Carroll, ending the game.

Sewald pitched one inning, allowing one hit with no runs, one strikeout, and no walks on 18 pitches for his 15th save of the season.

Arizona Relievers

Kevin Ginkel pitched the sixth inning, allowing no hits or runs, with no walks or strikeouts, on 13 pitches.

Justin Martinez pitched the seventh inning, allowing no hits or runs, with two strikeouts and no walks, on 10 pitches.

Ryan Thompson pitched the eighth inning, allowing no hits or runs, with no strikeouts or walks, on 13 pitches.

Next Starter: RHP Brandon Pfaadt (4-6, 3.97 ERA)

Brandon Pfaadt will make his team-leading 20th start. He has been in strong form recently, allowing one run or fewer in his last three starts.

Over that stretch, he has posted a 1-0 record with a 1.10 ERA, giving up just two earned runs in 16.1 innings while striking out 18 batters.

In his career against the Cubs, Pfaadt is 1-1 with a 2.95 ERA, having allowed six earned runs in 18.1 innings over two starts.

His only previous start at Wrigley Field was on Sept. 10, 2023, where he did not receive a decision after giving up four earned runs in six innings.