Ryan Waldschmidt hits walk-off homer as Cubs fall to D-backs
Ryan Waldschmidt delivered a pinch-hit, two-run walk-off home run off Jacob Webb on Tuesday, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. Arizona rallied from a 4-0 deficit after the seventh inning. The rookie outfielder's blast ended Chicago's night and marked Webb's second blown save in four days.
The Diamondbacks looked finished until a late surge flipped the game. Ian Happ had put Chicago ahead early with a three-run homer, and the Cubs carried a 4-0 lead into the eighth. Geraldo Perdomo then singled home two runs to cut the deficit to 4-3, setting the stage for Waldschmidt's heroics in the ninth.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan Waldschmidt hit a pinch-hit, two-run walk-off homer off Jacob Webb to give Arizona a 5-4 victory on Tuesday.
- The Diamondbacks overcame a 4-0 deficit, scoring five unanswered runs after the seventh inning.
- Jacob Webb blew his second save in four days after allowing a walk and Waldschmidt's homer in the ninth.
- Waldschmidt has three homers in limited action and is batting .276/.339/.400 as a rookie outfielder.
- Webb's reliability has come under scrutiny after his 24-game scoreless streak ended earlier in the week.
How Did Ryan Waldschmidt Beat the Cubs on Tuesday?
Waldschmidt came off the bench in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on base and Chicago clinging to a 4-3 lead. Facing Cubs reliever Jacob Webb, the rookie left fielder drove a two-run walk-off home run to give Arizona the 5-4 win.
It was Waldschmidt's third homer in limited major-league action this season. NBC Sports reported he has held his own with a .276/.339/.400 slash line despite a part-time role. The blast capped a five-run rally that began after Chicago had controlled the game for seven innings.
What Happened to Jacob Webb in the Ninth Inning?
Webb had escaped a jam in the eighth, but the ninth unraveled quickly. He issued a walk before Waldschmidt connected for a two-run shot, blowing the save and taking the loss.
It was Webb's second high-profile stumble in four days. He surrendered three runs in a blown save against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, ending a streak of 24 consecutive scoreless appearances and marking his first runs allowed since June 20, according to the Chicago Tribune. Cubs manager Craig Counsell had defended Webb after that outing, calling it a case of "baseball happened" and praising his overall season.
Fantasy analysts now question how much longer Webb will hold the closer role. NBC Sports noted his job security is "waning" after back-to-back blown saves, though he may still get another opportunity or two.
Why Does Waldschmidt's Homer Matter for Arizona?
Walk-off wins carry extra weight down the stretch, and Arizona needed every run on Tuesday. Perdomo's two-run single in the eighth turned a 4-1 hole into a one-run game, and Waldschmidt finished what the lineup started one inning later.
For Waldschmidt personally, the moment adds to a growing résumé as a power-hitting outfield prospect. Analysts see long-term fantasy upside, though his playing time remains inconsistent and he is better left off most fantasy rosters for now.
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Where Does Chicago Go After Another Walk-Off Loss?
The Cubs have now suffered multiple walk-off defeats in a short span, with Webb at the center of both late-inning collapses. Chicago built its Tuesday lead on Happ's three-run homer against Brandon Pfaadt, but the bullpen could not protect it.
Webb entered the year as a stabilizing force in the Chicago pen. His 24-game scoreless run ranked among the best relief stretches in recent Cubs history, per the Tribune. Two blown saves in one week do not erase that work, but they raise urgent questions as the season enters its final weeks.
For full game details and fantasy analysis, see the NBC Sports recap of Waldschmidt's walk-off winner.