Late-inning heroics propel Diamondbacks to comeback win over Cubs in series finale

The Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks are tied for the major‑league lead with 40 comeback wins each.

Ryan Waldschmidt demonstrated once more that no lead is safe against either offense, delivering a two‑out, two‑run walk‑off home run that secured a 5‑4 victory for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

The two clubs will face off in the decisive third game of a three‑game series on Wednesday in Phoenix.

Waldschmidt, who delivered a game‑ending homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 7, is the first rookie in major‑league history to hit two walk‑off home runs in the same calendar month while his team was trailing, per OptaSTATS.

Left‑handed starters Matthew Boyd (8‑2, 4.15 ERA) of the Cubs and Eduardo Rodríguez (13‑4, 2.61 ERA) of the Diamondbacks will oppose each other in Wednesday’s matchup between two National League playoff hopefuls.

The Cubs lead the Philadelphia Phillies by three games for the top NL wild‑card spot, while the Diamondbacks are just one game behind the San Diego Padres for the final wild‑card position.

The Diamondbacks were the sole team among the top five NL wild‑card contenders to win Tuesday; they managed only two singles, trailed 4‑0 through seven innings, and staged a rally to secure the victory.

“These boys don’t quit,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “They are 26 players united in belief, confident they can tell their story, execute and win the game.”

The Cubs took the lead when switch‑hitter Ian Happ launched a three‑run homer in the fourth inning off right‑hander Brandon Pfaadt. Happ has homered in three of his last five games, and the Cubs have a major‑league‑high 43 homers in 23 games this month.

“We need Ian from the left side to provide power,” Counsell said. “Ian has taken several big swings on this road trip, for sure.”

Rodríguez has won his last three starts and six of his previous seven decisions, with 16 quality starts that tie for fifth in the majors.

The 33‑year‑old veteran pitched 5 ⅔ scoreless innings in a 9‑0 win over Cincinnati on Friday, allowing only four hits and two walks, while the Reds went 0‑for‑4 with runners in scoring position during his outing.

Rodríguez has demonstrated a knack for escaping jams; opponents hit .156 with runners in scoring position and .111 with the bases loaded.

“Right now, we just go up there and play the game,” Rodríguez said. “We believe in each other, and someone will be a hero — whether a pitcher, hitter, reliever, or defender.”

Rodríguez, who has spent most of his career in the American League, is 0‑0 with a 3.18 ERA in two career starts against the Cubs. Alex Bregman, a longtime AL player, is 9‑for‑27 with three homers and eight RBIs versus left‑handed pitchers.

Boyd defeated the Diamondbacks in Chicago on May 3, surrendering two runs in six innings during an 8‑4 victory, and did not appear for the Cubs again until late June.

He underwent meniscus surgery on May 7, an injury sustained after awkwardly bending while playing with his children, but returned at his best.

Upon rejoining the rotation, Boyd posted a 4‑0 record with a 1.93 ERA over seven starts, highlighted by three quality starts to end July. This month has been less successful, with a 2‑1 record and a 6.12 ERA in four starts, including a no‑decision in which he allowed five runs, four earned, over six innings at Seattle on Friday.

In four career starts versus Arizona, Boyd is 1‑2 with a 4.09 ERA.

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