Willson Contreras hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning and the visiting Chicago Cubs rallied for a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday afternoon.
Contreras had three hits as the Cubs rallied in a span of four pitches against Joakim Soria (1-4). Contreras blasted an 0-1 fastball from Soria well over the left field fence to cap the rally.
Before Contreras hit his 14th homer, the Cubs were down to their last out. But Rafael Ortega roped a double to right field and scored the tying run when pinch hitter Robinson Chirinos lined a single just over the leaping attempt of shortstop Nick Ahmed.
Contreras’ homer gave Chicago its fourth win in six games following an 11-game losing streak. It marked the first time the Cubs won consecutive games since June 22-24.
Javy Baez hit an RBI double in the sixth for the Cubs, who entered 0-41 when trailing after eight innings.
Rex Brothers (3-2) struck out two in a perfect eighth and Craig Kimbrel fanned two in a scoreless ninth for his 21st save in 23 opportunities.
Ahmed and Josh Rojas drove in the runs for Arizona, which fell to 20-2 when taking a lead into the ninth.
Arizona’s collapse sent them to 26-68 and marked its 55th loss in 66 games. It also spoiled an effective start from Zac Gallen, who was activated off the injured list after missing two weeks with a strained right hamstring.
Gallen allowed one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven, walked two and threw 44 of 77 pitches for strikes.
Chicago’s Adbert Alzolay allowed two runs on five hits in five innings. He struck out two, walked two, and the comeback prevented him from losing his sixth straight start.
The Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout in the second by Ahmed and took a 2-0 lead in the fifth on Rojas’ single after Gallen hit into a double play.
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–Field Level Media