Bryant, Rizzo, Bote homer as Cubs beat Diamondbacks 5-1

Posted July 25, 2021 7:00 am

By JOHN JACKSON

Chicago Cubs starter Trevor Williams delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and David Bote homered, Trevor Williams pitched effectively into the seventh inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Sunday.

Bryant and Bote each hit two-run shots as Chicago took two of three in the series.

Williams (4-2) struck out six and allowed five hits with no walks over 6 1/3 innings in his first scoreless outing of the season. It was the right-hander's second start (and third appearance) since missing five weeks following an appendectomy.

Andrew Young had a pinch-hit RBI single and Pavin Smith had two hits for the Diamondbacks, who had won five of six.

Arizona starter Caleb Smith (3-7) allowed five runs on three hits in six innings.

After Willson Contreras led off the bottom of the first with a walk, Bryant stroked an 0-1 pitch into the center-field bleachers. It was Bryant's 17th homer and first since July 3. He is one of several Chicago players who could be traded before Friday's deadline.

Rizzo followed with a solo shot for a 3-0 lead. It was his 240th homer with the Cubs, passing Aramis Ramirez for sixth place on the team's career list.

Bote, who was activated from the 10-day injured list before the game, added a two-run blast in the fourth to make it 5-0. Bote had been sidelined since May 30 with a dislocated left shoulder.

Young singled in David Peralta in the ninth to break the shutout.

Craig Kimbrel came on to get the final out for his 23rd save.

ROSTER MOVE

To make room for Bote on the active roster, RHP Trevor Megill was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: C Carson Kelly (fractured right wrist), INF Ketel Marte (strained left hamstring) and RHP Taylor Clarke (strained right teres major) all took part in a live batting practice session Saturday at Chase Field in Arizona. Kelly was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Hillsboro on Sunday. Marte was slated to play in an Arizona Complex League game on Sunday.

Cubs: RHP Rowan Wick (left oblique strain) will move to Triple-A Iowa to continue a rehab assignment on Monday after making three appearances for Class A South Bend.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: RHP Taylor Widener (1-0, 3.55 ERA) starts the opener of a two-game series at Texas on Tuesday night. RHP Dane Dunning (3-7, 4.30) pitches for the Rangers.

Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks (12-4, 3.61) looks to become the first 13-game winner in the majors Monday night in the opener of a four-game home series with Cincinnati. LHP Wade Miley (8-4, 2.72) starts for the Reds.

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo left, celebrates at the dugout with teammate Robinson Chirinos right, after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Caleb Smith delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press

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