Rodriguez fans nine, Diamondbacks blank Cubs 2-0
Source: ABC 7 Chicago Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
PHOENIX -- Eduardo Rodriguez turned in another dominant outing, striking out nine batters over seven innings, and the Arizona Diamondbacks blanked the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Wednesday night. The left-hander allowed just two hits, improving to 14-4 on the season and extending his winning streak to four starts.
Rodriguez outpitched Cubs starter Matthew Boyd (8-3), who surrendered three hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings. The only run Boyd allowed came on a solo home run by Jordan Lawlar, who led off the sixth inning by sending a pitch over the fence for his third homer of the year. That was all the offense Arizona needed, though Ryan Waldschmidt added a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to give the Diamondbacks a two-run cushion.
Rodriguez, who had tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Cincinnati in his previous start, was nearly unhittable against the Cubs. He did not allow a hit until Tyrone Taylor blooped a single to lead off the fifth inning. In the sixth, Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled and advanced to third with one out, but Rodriguez stranded him there after a brief controversy. With two outs, Crow-Armstrong danced down the line as if attempting to steal home, and Rodriguez fired a quick pitch that forced him back. Crow-Armstrong argued vehemently that Rodriguez had balked, and third base coach Quintin Berry had to restrain him as the umpiring crew huddled. After discussion, the crew ruled that no balk occurred, and Rodriguez escaped the inning unscathed.
Boyd was sharp early, erasing walks with inning-ending double plays in the second and third innings. In the fourth, Cubs left fielder Tyrone Taylor threw out Nolan Arenado at second base from deep in the left-field corner, preventing a potential scoring threat. But Lawlar's homer in the sixth was the decisive blow.
Relievers Brandyn Garcia and Juan Morillo finished the two-hitter, with Morillo notching his second save of the season. The Cubs, who currently hold the top National League wild-card spot, have lost five of their last seven games.
Up next, the Cubs will send left-hander David Peterson (7-7, 5.17 ERA) to the mound to open a three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Friday. The Diamondbacks have yet to announce a starter for Thursday's series opener at San Francisco, which begins a four-game set.
Article commentary
This game was a showcase of Eduardo Rodriguez's resurgence as a reliable frontline starter for the Diamondbacks. His ability to command the strike zone, mix pitches, and work deep into games has been a key factor in Arizona's push for postseason positioning. Striking out nine while allowing only two hits over seven innings against a playoff-contending Cubs team underscores his current form. What stands out is the quiet efficiency of Rodriguez's performance. He didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning and navigated a potential jam in the sixth with poise, even amid a controversial moment with Cubs baserunner Pete Crow-Armstrong. The quick-pitch incident, while heated, ultimately had no bearing on the outcome, but it highlights the cat-and-mouse game between pitchers and base runners in high-leverage situations. Umpires correctly applied the rule — a balk requires a clear, illegal motion, and Rodriguez's quick pitch was deemed legal. For the Cubs, this loss adds to a concerning slide. They have dropped five of their last seven games, and while they still hold the top wild-card spot, their margin for error is shrinking. Matthew Boyd turned in a solid start after two rough outings, but the lack of run support continues to plague Chicago. The Cubs offense managed only two hits, both singles, and failed to capitalize when they had a runner on third with one out in the sixth. That inability to produce in key moments has been a recurring theme. Looking ahead, both teams face critical stretches. The Diamondbacks head to San Francisco for a four-game series, where they will need their pitching to continue performing at a high level. The Cubs return home to host Cincinnati, and David Peterson will need to provide length to spare a bullpen that has been heavily used. With the postseason race tightening, every game carries added weight. Rodriguez's performance may be a sign that Arizona's rotation is peaking at the right time, while Chicago must quickly regroup to avoid slipping further in the wild-card standings.