### Line Score – Game Over
| |1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|R|H|E|LOB|
|-|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|
|AZ|0|0|0|0|1|0|0|0|0|2|**3**|**8**|**0**|**8**|
|CHC|0|0|1|0|0|0|0|0|0|1|**2**|**8**|**1**|**10**|
### Box Score
|**CHC**| |AB|R|H|RBI|BB|SO|BA|
|-|-|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|
|**CF**|[Tauchman](https://www.mlb.com/player/643565)|4|1|0|0|1|0|.251|
|**2B**|[Hoerner](https://www.mlb.com/player/663538)|5|1|1|0|0|1|.280|
|**LF**|[Happ](https://www.mlb.com/player/664023)|5|0|1|0|0|1|.243|
|**1B**|[Bellinger](https://www.mlb.com/player/641355)|5|0|2|2|0|1|.319|
|**SS**|[Swanson](https://www.mlb.com/player/621020)|5|0|2|0|0|1|.245|
|**RF**|[Suzuki, S](https://www.mlb.com/player/673548)|3|0|0|0|1|1|.276|
|**DH**|[Candelario](https://www.mlb.com/player/600869)|1|0|0|0|3|1|.254|
|**C**|[Gomes](https://www.mlb.com/player/543228)|4|0|1|0|0|1|.271|
|**3B**|[Madrigal](https://www.mlb.com/player/663611)|4|0|1|0|0|0|.264|
|**CHC**|IP|H|R|ER|BB|SO|P-S|ERA|
|-|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|
|[Steele](https://www.mlb.com/player/657006 “Game Score: 73”)|7.0|6|1|1|0|6|95-70|2.49|
|[Merryweather](https://www.mlb.com/player/657240)|1.0|0|0|0|1|2|18-12|3.23|
|[Alzolay](https://www.mlb.com/player/640470)|1.0|1|0|0|2|0|23-14|2.71|
|[Palencia](https://www.mlb.com/player/694037)|1.0|1|2|1|0|1|25-12|3.60|
|**AZ**| |AB|R|H|RBI|BB|SO|BA|
|-|-|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|
|**2B**|[Marte, K](https://www.mlb.com/player/606466)|3|0|1|0|0|0|.275|
|[](/spacer)2B|[](/spacer)[Perdomo](https://www.mlb.com/player/672695)|0|0|0|0|1|0|.263|
|**SS**|[Lawlar](https://www.mlb.com/player/691783)|4|1|0|0|0|3|.091|
|**RF**|[Pham](https://www.mlb.com/player/502054)|5|0|1|1|0|1|.258|
|[](/spacer)CF|[](/spacer)[Thomas, A](https://www.mlb.com/player/677950)|0|0|0|0|0|0|.238|
|**1B**|[Walker, C](https://www.mlb.com/player/572233)|5|0|0|0|0|3|.268|
|**LF**|[Gurriel Jr.](https://www.mlb.com/player/666971)|4|0|1|0|0|0|.257|
|**DH**|[Longoria](https://www.mlb.com/player/446334)|3|0|1|0|0|0|.228|
|[](/spacer)DH|[](/spacer)[Smith, P](https://www.mlb.com/player/656976)|0|0|0|0|1|0|.184|
|**RF**|[Carroll](https://www.mlb.com/player/682998)|4|1|2|0|0|1|.285|
|**3B**|[Rivera, E](https://www.mlb.com/player/656896)|3|0|1|0|0|1|.264|
|[](/spacer)3B|[](/spacer)[Peterson](https://www.mlb.com/player/607054)|0|0|0|0|1|0|.215|
|**C**|[Moreno](https://www.mlb.com/player/672515)|4|1|1|1|0|0|.280|
|**AZ**|IP|H|R|ER|BB|SO|P-S|ERA|
|-|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|
|[Kelly, M](https://www.mlb.com/player/518876 “Game Score: 59”)|5.2|4|1|1|5|6|104-64|3.16|
|[Thompson, R](https://www.mlb.com/player/657044)|1.1|0|0|0|0|0|18-13|4.63|
|[Saalfrank](https://www.mlb.com/player/685314)|1.0|1|0|0|0|0|11-8|0.00|
|[Ginkel](https://www.mlb.com/player/656464)|1.0|2|0|0|0|1|17-12|2.30|
|[Sewald](https://www.mlb.com/player/623149)|1.0|1|1|0|0|0|11-7|3.21|
### Scoring Plays
|Inning|Event|Score|
|:-:|-|:-:|
|B3|[Cody Bellinger singles on a pop up to second baseman Ketel Marte. Nico Hoerner scores.](https://www.mlb.com/gameday/716660/play/24)|**1**-0|
|T5|[Gabriel Moreno grounds out softly, third baseman Nick Madrigal to first baseman Cody Bellinger. Corbin Carroll scores. Emmanuel Rivera to 2nd.](https://www.mlb.com/gameday/716660/play/34)|1-**1**|
|T10|[Tommy Pham singles on a line drive to left fielder Ian Happ. Jordan Lawlar scores.](https://www.mlb.com/gameday/716660/play/75)|1-**3**|
|B10|[Cody Bellinger singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Corbin Carroll. Mike Tauchman scores.](https://www.mlb.com/gameday/716660/play/80)|**2**-3|
### Highlights
|Description|Length|Video|
|-|-|-|
|Bullpen availability for Chicago, September 9 vs D-backs|0:07|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/559b43e1-9c79-4ad1-9ae1-a974c51c73e1.mp4)|
|Bullpen availability for Arizona, September 9 vs Cubs|0:07|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/4a74a9ad-ea00-4f84-94e8-71f3d3e7eb62.mp4)|
|Bench availability for Chicago, September 9 vs D-backs|0:07|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/5a622caa-5249-4b22-8c9d-0c74f07fc051.mp4)|
|Fielding alignment for Chicago, September 9 vs D-backs|0:11|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/c64fd51b-e48e-4696-a69d-91401312b8ba.mp4)|
|Bench availability for Arizona, September 9 vs Cubs|0:07|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/a18a8299-7ec9-431b-983a-8a622d01d090.mp4)|
|Fielding alignment for Arizona, September 9 vs Cubs|0:11|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/81bbf61c-5e64-4081-ba2d-e1300668dea0.mp4)|
|Starting lineups for D-backs at Cubs – September 9, 2023|0:09|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/44947633-1f34-4b0d-bda4-fe073b181c19.mp4)|
|Breaking down Merrill Kelly’s pitches|0:04|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/260cd570-1f07-4f0c-a49b-dd0622a1b5de.mp4)|
|Merrill Kelly’s outing against the Cubs|0:25|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/d1f95cc8-6b3f-4820-bc27-9311f4098661.mp4)|
|Breaking down Justin Steele’s pitches|0:04|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/294c43c9-8221-48dc-8a4c-efc3f0ff7a53.mp4)|
|Justin Steele’s outing against the D-backs|0:20|[Video](https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/4737a53f-98bc-44f1-bbdf-c12dcd648151.mp4)|
|Ketel Marte singles after fouling a ball off himself|0:40|[Video](https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/09/edb9a55c-0b737ea3-44a6cf88-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4)|
|Cody Bellinger drives in a run on a pop fly single|0:19|[Video](https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/224843b5-d3cf-4425-ba95-be9b10d7e344.mp4)|
|Gabriel Moreno ties the game with an RBI groundout|0:13|[Video](https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/37790de3-7e0e-4747-b6cb-c0c505b95f9e.mp4)|
|Nick Madrigal makes a nice play at third base|0:20|[Video](https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/09/9703fbf7-955df429-35a66c2d-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4)|
|Ryan Thompson induces a pop out to keep the game tied|0:12|[Video](https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/8640ddfe-7294-40e6-bda4-b10dbfad988f.mp4)|
|Merrill Kelly whiffs six Cubs|1:34|[Video](https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/09/ff746985-0dcc14f9-9fc62723-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4)|
|Cody Bellinger steals second for his first 20-20 year|0:25|[Video](https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/09/8f246801-7c5ede22-d4ce3d77-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4)|
|Justin Steele sets down six D-backs|1:07|[Video](https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/09/72ff32cd-4af700ed-0cce81ec-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4)|
|Adbert Alzolay escapes a bases-loaded jam in the 9th|0:10|[Video](https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/7f62112d-81b7-448f-ac25-aa1291342ebc.mp4)|
|Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s great throw nabs Yan Gomes|0:40|[Video](https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/09/8e710e39-88cd82e7-4b929328-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4)|
|A wild pitch brings home Gabriel Moreno for the lead|0:12|[Video](https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/9e0431f5-a643-4933-94d7-b417c8fe7b04.mp4)|
|Tommy Pham extends the lead with an RBI single|0:11|[Video](https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/6654cdc8-daa3-465d-96a6-329d5fc28087.mp4)|
|Cody Bellinger hits an RBI single to cut the lead|0:11|[Video](https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/40b13f77-b135-4426-b42b-e9b63416edb7.mp4)|
|Paul Sewald induces a pop out to secure a close win|0:13|[Video](https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/1536c5bb-bbd9-4f32-b753-82162f36584b.mp4)|
### Decisions
|Winning Pitcher|Losing Pitcher|Save|
|:-:|:-:|:-:|
|Ginkel (8-0, 2.30 ERA)|Palencia (5-1, 3.60 ERA)|Sewald (32 SV, 3.21 ERA)|
*Game ended at 4:34 PM.*
48 comments
Justin Steele
That’s all I have to say about that
5 losses since last Friday, 7 runs scored in those games. Completely unacceptable.
Fire Ross into the Sun.
I don’t care how fast a pitcher can throw if they can’t consistently throw the ball near the zone.
Goodnight to Bellinger and Steele only
The Cubs chose to save all of their brutal second half losses for September
Wild card slipping away at this rate lol
Love that we sweep the Giants and immediately give it right back
Hitters aren’t shit right now. Feels like 2017-2019 cubs. Can’t hit when it matters most.
Love that we are playing our worst baseball at the worst possible time. Division hopes are gone, and the WC is quickly dwindling too.
Playoff hopes quickly falling apart. This series has been an absolute train wreck. Embarrassing
Offense has completely disappeared
Without the sun and the ghost runner we get shutout again! Thank God Rossy will trot out the same exact lineup tomorrow too!
Really need to move Swanson down the order and put Suzuki at least in 5 spot
Not ideal but we’re still in a playoff spot.
This is getting embarrassing
Without the dropped pop fly gifted run we would have been shut out two days in a row. Hope this tailspin ends quickly.
This team is cooked, holy shit
Wasting those Taillon and Steele starts is rage inducing.
Give Canario a shot already.
We suck ass cheeks right now. Not the end of the world though
This series and its losses are going from a small bump in the road to something that’s feeling a little bit more worrisome.
Gotta buckle down and get some wins this week. Starts tomorrow!
I’m just here to witness the sub’s meltdown.
Try not to jump off a cliff, folks. Lots of baseball left. 6 against Colorado, 3 against Pittsburgh. Quite a lot of possibilities between then and now and this is not a bad club.
Season is not over, but holy crap brutal. Remember still4 games left against the Dbacks
The positive note is that football is starting so this team can be on the back burner
Okay, it’s not funny anymore. Time to right the ship fellas.
Our offense, which has led to our resurgence, has been our major downfall this series. Wasted another beautiful start by Steele and losing ground to a team right behind us for the WC is really bad.
Fuck the Cubs. I hate them. I’ll see you all at 1:20 tomorrow to root for them again anyways.
Anemic offense and egomaniacal Ross refuses to let Canario get a start
Can’t get 2-0’d in the first round if we miss the fucking playoffs entirely
Another disappointing outing from Palencia. Why he keeps getting tread in high leverage situations is beyond me. Dude shits the bed every time i notice he’s out there.
I don’t know much about physics, but I’m pretty sure our momentum hit a brick fucking wall.
I like Dansby, but the fact that there’s a lot of people I would have rather had batting in that spot is really damning
Nice outing Steele. Sorry the offense couldn’t help you.
This is not how a playoff team performs.
Uh oh
Not much to talk about so far as the on field performance so just going to mention the broadcast.
Normally I’m a huge Taylor McGregor fan but it’s always nice to have Elise Beneker fill in. Also while I don’t mind Boog so much I still think Pat should be the in booth guy every day. Not only does he seem to just be all around better he seems to bounce off his co-commentators better as well.
This is the 2023 Cubs in a nutshell. One week, good enough to sweep, the next get swept.
Not quite panic mode
Season is not over, but holy crap brutal. Remember still4 games left against the Dbacks
Can’t wait to see ross respond with wisdom batting 9th tomorrow.
Guess we don’t want to go to the post season.
I thought the whole point of trading everyone away was to avoid pissing away the playoffs late in the year…
Palencia had no business being in this game. His wildness led to the loss. It’s also a pathetic showing against AZ this series – 4 runs scored and you lose to one of their worst pitchers on Thursday
The season and their playoff chances are not over. The sky isn’t falling, but there’s some more clouds than there were Wednesday night.
This weekend could end with a 2 game division deficit. It could also be 5; that’s why baseball is a day-by-day game. I can’t say definitively they’ll make the playoffs, but I can’t say they won’t either.
It’s all part of the roller coaster of being fans of a team fighting for a playoff spot. And I’d rather that than be out of it.
Offense becoming reminiscent of the late days of the World Series Core where every game we’d score 10+ or 2-