Bryant, Rizzo, Bote homer as Cubs beat Diamondbacks 5-1
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JOHN JACKSON
Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and David Bote homered, Trevor Williams pitched effectively into the seventh inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Sunday.
Bryant and Bote each hit two-run shots as Chicago took two of three in the series.
Williams (4-2) struck out six and allowed five hits with no walks over 6 1/3 innings in his first scoreless outing of the season. It was the right-hander’s second start (and third appearance) since missing five weeks following an appendectomy.
“I’ve been wanting to pitch in front of a full Wrigley,” said Williams, who was making his first home start since crowd restrictions were lifted. “It’s special and I felt the energy on the mound.”
Andrew Young had a pinch-hit RBI single and Pavin Smith had two hits for the Diamondbacks, who had won five of six.
Arizona starter Caleb Smith (3-7) allowed five runs on three hits in six innings.
“I thought I threw the ball well; the results aren’t what I wanted,” Smith said. “The two walks (before the homers) are something you can’t defend.”
After Willson Contreras led off the bottom of the first with a walk, Bryant stroked an 0-1 pitch into the center-field bleachers.
It was Bryant’s 17th homer and first since July 3. He is one of several Chicago players who could be traded before Friday’s deadline.
Rizzo followed with a solo shot for a 3-0 lead. It was his 240th homer with the Cubs, passing Aramis Ramirez for sixth place on the team’s career list.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen. This could be it,” Rizzo said of break- ing up the core of the 2016 World Series team. “If that happens, we’ll face it. Until then, we’ll enjoy the wins.” Bote, who was activated from the 10-day injured list before the game, added a two-run blast in the fourth to make it 5-0. Bote had been sidelined since May 30 with a dislocated left shoulder.
Young singled in David Peralta in the ninth to break the shutout.
Craig Kimbrel, another likely trade target, came on to get the final out for his 23rd save.
“These next few days, the trade market will be heat- ing up and there’ll be a lot more rumors,” Rizzo said.
ROSTER MOVE
To make room for Bote on the active roster, RHP Trevor Megill was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: C Carson Kelly (fractured right wrist), INF Ketel Marte (strained left hamstring) and RHP Taylor Clarke (strained right teres major) all took part in a live batting prac- tice session Saturday at Chase Field in Arizona. Kelly was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Hillsboro on Sunday. Marte was slated
to play in an Arizona Complex League game on Sunday.
Cubs: RHP Rowan Wick (left oblique strain) will move to Triple-A Iowa to continue a rehab assign- ment on Monday after mak- ing three appearances for Class A South Bend.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: RHP Taylor Widener (1-0, 3.55 ERA) starts the opener of a two-game series at Texas on Tuesday night. RHP Dane Dunning (3-7, 4.30) pitches for the Rangers.
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks (12-4, 3.61) looks to become the first 13-game winner in the majors Monday night in the opener of a four -game home series with Cincinnati. LHP Wade Miley (8-4, 2.72) starts for the Reds.
