Playing at Wrigley Field can be daunting for some players and teams. Ildemaro Vargas doesn't care right now where he plays as he's on fire at the plate.

Vargas extended his consecutive games hitting streak to 27 over the past two seasons, and 24 in this season alone. But Zac Gallen just didn't have it going on Friday as the Chicago Cubs held off the Diamondbacks 6-5.

Gallen went 3 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and six earned runs. His record now falls to 1-2 this season. Three Diamondbacks relievers followed Gallen and kept the Cubs' bats in check. 

Still, the Diamondbacks weren't able to come back all the way and get a series-opening win.

Vargas ended up going 4-for-4 on Friday and his batting average now sits at .404. There's no MLB pitcher facing him this season that's been to totally shut him down.

With two outs in the bottom of the first inning and the bases loaded, Chicago's Michael Busch singled to left field. Nico Hoerner and Alex Bregman scored, putting the Cubs up 2-0. Carson Kelly followed and singled, bringing home Ian Happ and staking the Cubs to a 3-0 lead.

Arizona scored a run in the top of the third, cutting into Chicago's lead at 3-1. But, in the bottom of the fourth, with runners at second and third base, Dansby Swanson's RBI single brough home Carson Kelly. The Cubs went up 4-1. 

Chicago added two more runs, staking it to a 6-1 advantage and Gallen was out of the game.

But, in the top of the sixth inning, the Diamondbacks scored four runs. Geraldo Perdomo's three-run homer proved to be a big catalyst, helping Arizona inch closer at the end of the inning to 6-5.

Vargas led off Arizona's top of the ninth with a walk. Corbin Carroll followed by striking out. Ketel Marte then grounded into a forceout, putting him at first base with two outs. Gabriel Moreno struck out to end the game.

Carroll and Moreno both went 0-for-5 on Friday afternoon.

Cubs starter Colin Rea went 5 1/3 innings en route to the victory, raising his season record to 4-1. Jacob Webb worked two innings in relief for his first save.

The Diamondbacks were 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base. It appears that Arizona had opportunities to get more runs on the board, but couldn't deliver when it mattered.

With the loss, the Diamondbacks are now 16-15 overall and in third place in the National League West Division. The Cubs go to 20-12 this season and sit in second place in the National League Central Division.

This weekend series at Wrigley Field continues on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. First pitch both days is at 11:20 a.m. MT (12:20 p.m. CT). 

All eyes will be on Vargas to see if he can continue his amazing hit streak on Saturday.

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