D-backs edge Cubs again, 3-2 in 10 innings

Tommy Pham hit what proved to be the game-winning, run-scoring single in the 10th inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cubs 3-2 on Saturday to take their second one-run road decision from Chicago in as many days.

Arizona (75-68) managed just one run in seven innings against Chicago starter Justin Steele, a Cy Young contender. Steele struck out six and walked none.

But Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly limited Chicago to one run over 5 2/3 innings, and relievers Ryan Thompson, Andrew Saalfrank and Kevin Ginkel combined to hold the Cubs scoreless over 3 1/3 innings to force extras. Ginkel (8-0) picked up the win.

After scoring just two runs through the series’ previous 18 innings, including the one run that made the difference in Arizona’s 1-0 win on Friday, the Diamondbacks struck for two in the 10th.

Gabriel Moreno scored on Daniel Palencia’s wild pitch, giving Arizona a 2-1 lead. Pham then singled to left, scoring Jordan Lawlar for a 3-1 lead.

The two-run cushion proved necessary, as Chicago (76-67) halved the deficit on Cody Bellinger’s two-out RBI single that scored Mike Tauchman. But D-backs closer Paul Sewald got Dansby Swanson to pop out on the ensuing at-bat to end the rally. Sewald picked up his 32nd save.

Palencia (5-1) took the loss.

Bellinger went 2-for-5 in the loss and drove in both Cubs runs, also driving in Nico Hoerner on an infield single in the third inning. Swanson finished 2-for-5.

Corbin Carroll went 2-for-4 for the Diamondbacks and scored on a Moreno groundout in the fifth. Moreno went 1-for-4.

Arizona heads into Sunday’s finale looking for a sweep in the four-game set. The three-game skid has sliced the Cubs’ lead over the Diamondbacks in the wild-card race to one game.

Arizona occupies the last wild-card spot in the National League.