Naylor's third hit lifts Diamondbacks over Cubs 3-2 in 11 innings

CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Naylor's third hit of the game drove in automatic runner Geraldo Perdomo in the 11th inning with the go-ahead run and the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-2 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.

Naylor grounded a single to right for his second RBI. The top of 11th ended when Naylor tried to steal home and was thrown out by reliever Jordan Wicks (0-1).

Shelby Miller (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings and for Drey Jameson tossed a 1-2-3 11th for his first save.

In a game twice delayed by rain for a total of 98 minutes, the teams exchanged runs in the 10th.

Chicago automatic runner Dansby Swanson scored from second on Nico Hoerner's single to tie it at 2. Tim Tawa came home from second in the top half when Hoerner couldn't handle reliever Wick's throw on a sacrifice bunt.

Michael Busch had an RBI. The Diamondbacks limited the Cubs, who lead the majors with 145 runs, to four hits.

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly allowed one run and two over 5 2/3 innings. He left with right leg cramping after retiring 16 hitters in a row.

Corbin Carroll went 0 for 5, ending a streak of reaching base in 27 games dating to Sept. 23.

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon allowed one run and three hits in five innings.

Chicago third baseman Jon Berti limited Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to infield single with a diving stop in the sixth, then grabbed Tawa's liner to end the inning, preserving a 1-all tie.

Kelly has been solid in four of five starts this season, but yielded nine runs in 3 2/3 innings to the Yankees on April 3 to account for a 4.73 ERA

Diamondbacks: RHP Brandon Pfaadt (3-1, 3.04 ERA) faces Tampa Bay RHP Zack Littell (0-4, 5.48) on Tuesday in Phoenix.

Cubs: LHP Shota Imanaga (2-1, ERA, 2.22 ERA) starts against Dodgers RHP Dustin May (1-1, 1.06) on Tuesday in Chicago.

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Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ (8) slides into home plate safely as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera left, waits for the throw during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch watches his RBI single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ (8) celebrates with manager Craig Counsell right, at the dugout after scoring on a Michael Busch single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Arizona Diamondbacks closing pitcher Drey Jameson right, celebrates with catcher Jose Herrera left, after defeating the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Arizona Diamondbacks closing pitcher Drey Jameson left, celebrates with catcher Jose Herrera right, after defeating the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Arizona Diamondbacks closing pitcher Drey Jameson right, celebrates with catcher Jose Herrera left, after defeating the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Colorado Rockies left Texas as the first team in baseball’s modern era to lose 36 of their first 43 games and hoping an off day in Arizona can help them reset.

“That’s the plan,” interim manager Warren Schaeffer said Wednesday night following an 8-3 loss to the Texas Rangers that was Colorado's 11th in the last 12 games. “We’re looking forward to (the day off), and we’re looking forward to getting after the Diamondbacks in Arizona.”

At 7-36, the Rockies have lost all 14 series this season. The Rangers became the seventh team to sweep Colorado.

Third baseman Ryan McMahon, a 2024 All-Star who played on Colorado playoff teams in 2017-18, has a simple message for his teammates.

“Just keep going,” McMahon said in the quiet clubhouse. “You’ve got to keep your head down. You’ve got to keep putting the work in. We’ve got a lot of areas we can improve in, and that’s the only way we’re going to improve.”

The Rockies are 2-20 on the road, matching four other teams as the worst record after 22 games in the modern era. Wednesday’s starting pitcher, Antonio Senzatela, has dropped 10 consecutive road starts since the beginning of 2022.

Colorado has struggled out of the gate in many games. It has been outscored 44-15 in first innings. In their last two losses at Texas, Rockies pitching allowed three runs to the first three hitters Tuesday, and four through the first four Wednesday.

“We’ve got to find a way to start the game better,” said Schaeffer, previously the team’s third base coach before replacing Bud Black on Sunday.

Schaeffer is winless in three games and says he has no quarrel with effort or morale.

“The boys are getting after it,” he said. “In the clubhouse before the game. All the preparatory work. In the dugout. Pitchers that aren’t pitching are getting after it during the game. Hey, maybe a little too much. But we need to find that even keel where we can get the job done.”

For a team seeking a silver lining, consider that one of the other teams that opened 2-20 on the road went to the World Series — the 2005 Houston Astros.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela, right, leaves play as interim manager Warren Schaeffer, left, and catcher Jacob Stallings stand on the mound during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Colorado Rockies' Adael Amador stands in the dugout after lining out to Texas Rangers shortstop Josh Smith during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Colorado Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer, right, looks on as Kyle Farmer (6) prepares to bat during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Colorado Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings (25) carries his gear as he walks from the dugout at the end of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)