Diamondbacks end Cubs’ unanswered runs streak in anticlimactic fashion

The Chicago Cubs had one of the most impressive streaks in the last two games. They won their last two games by scoring 26 total runs: 19 against the Seattle Mariners and 7 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in their season opener. Those 26 runs came unanswered too, with the outburst against the Mariners coming after they scored just two runs and the Diamondbacks held scoreless. After scoring three more against the D-Backs, it looked like Chicago was on their way to greatness.

However, that streak was short-lived, and it ended in anti-climactic fashion. The Cubs ran up the score against the D-Backs at first, scoring four runs through eight innings of play. Gabriel Moreno was up on the plate with two runners on base and just two outs at the top of the eighth inning . It was in this scenario that the Cubs conceded their first run after scoring 30 runs, and it happened after Moreno’s check-swing somehow found the outfield for a double to bring in a run.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, this was only the start of their troubles in this inning. The Diamondbacks still had two men on base, both of which were in scoring position. Leadoff man Lars Nootbaar was up next, and he hit a single to center field to clear the bases and drive in two more runs to make the score 4-3. Palanco got out of the inning later on after inducing a groundout, but the damage was already done.

The Cubs failed to score in the next inning. Pedro Ramirez reached first base on a infield single with one out, but was caught stealing. After Michael Conforto struck out, the momentum was squarely in the Diamondbacks’ favor, and they took full advantage of it.

The Diamondbacks got after Cubs close Jacob Webb, with Tim Tawa reaching first. Pinch runner Jose Fernandez stole second base later on, setting the D-Backs up for success. Then, pinch hitter Ryan Waldschmidt hit his third homer of the night, sending Chicago packing with the two-run blast to win the game.

The Cubs are still 76-57 and are in prime position to hold one of the Wild Card spots.