The Arizona Diamondbacks secured a big series victory against the Chicago Cubs, their greatest competition in the National League Wild Card race.
After being shut out in the series opener, 7-0, the Arizona Diamondbacks gave the Chicago Cubs a taste of their own medicine by taking them down in the series finale, 2-0.
Eduardo Rodriguez picked up his 14th win of the year, now improving to 14-4 after his seven-inning, two-hit gem.
Rodriguez threw just over 100 pitches as it marked his second straight scoreless outing, but most importantly, his deepest scoreless appearance since Thursday, May 21.
This was a pitcher's gem, to say the least, as the game featured a combined eight hits.
The deciding factor was that the D-backs had six of those, and while they put up a run in the sixth, they were able to add an insurance run in the eighth inning that propelled them to a series victory against the team that currently holds the top National League Wild Card spot.
Diamondbacks make statement with series victory
Arizona has now won two straight series, both against teams in the National League Central. Winning two of three against the Cincinnati Reds was a great sign, but it was extremely impressive to see them take down the Cubs in consecutive games.
This is a D-backs squad that has now won five of their last seven games, improving to 71-63 on the year.
Obviously, they still need a bit of help in order to get back into that final Wild Card spot, but for now, all the D-backs can do is keep their head down and continue to focus on themselves.
Pitching staff only allowed two hits
Surprisingly, Rodriguez allowed the only two hits the Cubs had in this game. One of those was a double to MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong, someone who struggled quite a bit in this series.
Rodriguez did allow three walks, as did Brandyn Garcia, but Garcia still managed to rack up his 15th hold of the season.
Juan Morillo, someone with 17 holds on the year, was asked to pitch the ninth inning, and it was a thing of beauty. The 27-year-old needed just nine pitches to record three outs, and he picked up his second save of the year.
For what it's worth, Morillo's last save came on Wednesday, April 15.
Diamondbacks offense did just enough
Geraldo Perdomo and Jordan Lawlar combined for four of the team's six hits, and it was surprisingly the eighth and ninth hitters who drove in the D-backs' two runs.
Lawlar recorded his eighth RBI of the season on a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning while Ryan Waldschmidt, last night's hero, added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth for his 22nd RBI.
