The situation in Arizona appeared dire.

What a difference 4 pitches makes.

With 2 outs in the 9^th inning and trailing by a run the Cubs mounted an unlikely rally to swipe a 4-2 win from the Diamondbacks.

Rafael Ortega hit a first pitch double to kick start the rally and scored on a first pitch single by pinch-hitter Robinson Chirinos. Two pitches later, Willson Contreras hit a 2-run home run that secured an improbable win.

“That was nice,” David Ross said. “They continued to give themselves opportunities and it paid off there in the end. That was a fun one to be a part of, for sure.”

The Diamondbacks pitching staff had kept the Cubs hitters at bay for 8.2 innings, allowing just 4 hits and striking out 12. That didn’t matter to the Cubs, who plugged away against the Diamondbacks’ closer Joakim Soria.

“We’re just looking forward to compete and compete to the last out like today,” Contreras said. “When we’re competing we’re tough to beat.

“They’re great teammates, they’re a great talent and having the right mindset of competing and competing to the last out is gonna help us a lot.”

It gave the Cubs a win after a quality performance from Adbert Alozlay. He allowed just 2 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings of work and kept the Cubs within striking distance. He showed his moxie, bouncing back from a 20-pitch 2^nd inning where he allowed a run and escaped some damage.

It’s those types of moments that have Ross and the Cubs excited about his growth.

“I think he’s continuing to evolve and have the right conversations and identify those moments where he could be better and maybe work through some things,” Ross said. “And he’s grown some from those moments and had some success from em.”

He followed up the tough 2^nd inning with a 5-pitch 3^rd inning, retiring the top of the Diamondbacks’ order handedly.

The Cubs got on the board in the 6^th inning with an RBI-double from Javy Báez.

Notes

• Prior to Saturday’s game, Ross mentioned that Willson Contreras would be getting an extended look at the leadoff spot after the Cubs traded away Joc Pederson. He made the most of that first, extended look, going 3-for-4 with a hit by pitch.
• Craig Kimbrel picked up the save for the Cubs, it’s the 369^th of his career, moving him into 9^th place on the all-time saves list.
• Nico Hoerner and Báez both extended their hitting streaks to 7 games.