Eduardo Rodriguez strikes out 9 in 7 innings as Diamondbacks beat Cubs 2-0

Phoenix (AP) — Eduardo Rodriguez struck out nine batters in seven innings, while Jordan Lawlar hit a solo home run as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Wednesday. Rodriguez outpitched Cubs starter Matthew Boyd (8-3) by allowing only two hits throughout the game, securing his fourth consecutive victory. Relievers Brandyn Garcia and Juan Morillo sealed the win with a combined two strikeouts and a save.

The Cubs, currently leading the NL wild-card spot, have lost their last five games. Jordan Lawlar opened the sixth inning with his third homer of the night, the only run scored against Boyd. Ryan Waldschmidt contributed with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. Rodriguez had previously thrown five 2/3 scoreless innings against Cincinnati in his last start, and he did not allow a hit against the Cubs until Tyrone Taylor's bloop single in the fifth inning.

Pete Crow-Armstrong led off the sixth inning with a double and advanced to third base with one out, but he was stranded after Rodriguez threw a quick pitch, allegedly due to a balk call. Boyd had been impressive early against the Diamondbacks, allowing only 11 earned runs in his previous two starts combined. In the fourth inning, Taylor made a crucial play, cutting down Nolan Arenado at second base from deep in the left-field corner.

Meanwhile, Cubs left-hander David Peterson (7-7, 5.17 ERA) will take the mound in the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Arizona has not yet announced a starting pitcher for Thursday's opener of a four-game series at San Francisco.