Diamondbacks, Goldschmidt slam Cubs
CHICAGO -- Paul Goldschmidt wasn't necessarily looking for the big hit as he faced Chicago Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol with bases loaded in the eighth inning on Saturday night.
"I was looking for a pitch up in the zone, trying to stay out of a double play and get something up in the air and get the runner in," Goldschmidt said.
Goldschmidt, who had already struck out three times, instead launched a 1-1 pitch to left-center field for a grand slam that snapped a 4-4 tie and helped the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 12-4 victory.
Marmol, the fourth Cubs pitcher in the game, loaded the bases for Goldschmidt, who collected his 13th home run of the season for an 8-4 lead in a rain-delayed game that finished after 1 a.m. ET.
Jason Kubel delivered a bases-clearing double in the seventh as the Diamondbacks rallied from a 3-1 deficit for a temporary 4-3 lead.
Arizona's comeback spoiled a strong effort from Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija, who gave up a leadoff home run in the first and little else while striking out 11.
"They're a fastball-hitting team and really aggressive," Samardzija said. "I knew they were on it especially after the first at-bat, so I started making better pitches and got ahead on the count, used my slider, and kind of got back on track."
Diamondbacks right-hander Ian Kennedy (3-3) also had a solid seven innings, allowing four earned runs and three hits while walking one and striking out seven.
"I felt really good, throwing a lot of strikes," said Kennedy, who last pitched 10 days ago. "I had a lot of early outs and was really happy. I tried to stay as long as possible and give our team a chance and rest that bullpen."
Willie Bloomquist went 3 for 4 and Goldschmidt was one of five Diamondbacks batters with two hits apiece.
Marmol, who took the loss, slipped to 2-3 for the season. His short stint included three of the eight walks the Cubs gave up.
"The bottom line is if you walk eight guys you're not going to win too many games no matter what," Chicago manager Dale Sveum said. "Obviously, they got a couple of big hits to bust the game open, but the walks were the difference."
Samardzija left to a wave of applause with one out in the seventh after walking two batters. He allowed three earned runs -- including responsibility for the two runners -- and seven hits while walking four.
Left- handed reliever James Russell got Miguel Montero to pop to short center for the second out but walked Martin Prado to load the bases. Kubel lined a double to deep left center to sweep the bases clean.
Nate Schierholtz tagged Kennedy with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score 4-4.
The Diamondbacks added four runs in the ninth off Chicago reliever Zack Putnam.
The game, scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. ET first pitch, got under way after two waves of rain and a 2-hour, 21-minute delay.
Arizona leadoff batter Gerardo Parra slugged his fifth home run of the season, off Samardzija, to give the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead.
The Cubs responded with three runs in the bottom of the first as they loaded the bases on Kennedy. Alfonso Soriano's sacrifice fly scored David DeJesus from third, Schierhotlz's double down the first base line drove home Starlin Castro and Welington Castillo's groundout to shortstop allowed Anthony Rizzo to come home.
Sveum was ejected from the game in the second inning after arguing with first base umpire Toby Basner and home plate umpire Joe West.
Sveum, ejected for the second time this season, complained after A.J. Pollock was called safe at first after grounding to Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney and a close throw to Rizzo.
Sveum continued to argue even after West signaled the ejection.
Samardzija then proceeded to give up a single to Bloomquist, a sacrifice bunt to Kennedy that advanced runners to second and third, and a walk to Parra to load the bases. But a swinging strike three by Didi Gregarious ended the inning without damage.
Arizona also had the bases loaded in the fifth with two out, but Samardzija got Prado to strike out -- his 10th K of the game to that point.
NOTES: The Diamondbacks announced that they've recalled RHP Randall Delgado from Triple-A Reno and placed RHP Brandon McCarthy on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Friday, with shoulder inflammation. ... Sunday's starter, Patrick Corbin, has won six straight decisions and is among seven pitchers since 1998 to have at least eight wins and a 1.80 ERA or lower through May 31. His season-opening, club record nine straight starts of at least six innings pitched and two runs allowed is the longest since Ubaldo Jimenez in 2010. ... The Cubs placed RHP Rafael Dolis on the 15-day disabled list with a mild right forearm strain. Chicago also selected the contract of RHP Blake Parker from Triple-A Iowa and designated RHP Alex Burnett for assignment. Parker was available for Saturday's game. ... Cubs pitchers lead all major league staffs with six doubles, four home runs and 19 RBI this season. ... Castro is now just one game from 500 played for his career entering Saturday. Through 498 games, he has 589 hits, 108 doubles, 27 triples. 30 home runs and 206 RBI. ... Corbin seeks a 9-0 start as he goes against Chicago's Edwin Jackson (1-7) in Sunday's series finale. ... The teams meet again for a four-game series at Arizona from July 22 to July 25.
