Diamondbacks watch Pavin Smith homer as the Cubs build runs at Sloan Park

The Arizona Diamondbacks left Sloan Park with a 7-6 preseason record after an 8-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs, who moved to 6-8, in a game that drew 12,824 and lasted 2:42.

First inning

The Diamondbacks opened with 2 hits in the top of the 1st inning but scored 0 runs, while the Cubs answered with 2 runs on 3 hits in the bottom of the 1st.

Third inning

The Cubs added 2 runs on 2 hits in the 3rd inning, and the Diamondbacks produced 1 hit in the top half but again came away with 0 runs.

Fourth inning

The Diamondbacks scored their only run in the 4th inning when Pavin Smith hit a home run, and the Cubs posted 1 run on 2 hits in the bottom half to extend the margin.

Fifth inning

The Cubs produced 2 runs on 2 hits in the 5th inning, and the Diamondbacks left traffic without a run despite 1 hit in the top half as the Cubs’ line moved to 12 hits and 0 errors.

Sixth and seventh innings

The Diamondbacks went scoreless in both the 6th inning and the 7th inning, and the Cubs were held to 1 hit total across those same frames.

Eighth and ninth innings

The Cubs added 1 run on 2 hits in the 8th inning, and the Diamondbacks finished with 6 hits, 1 error, and 8 runners left on base as the game closed in the top of the 9th.

Diamondbacks vs Cubs key moments centered on Smith’s 1-for-3 line with a home run and 1 run batted in, while Ryne Nelson’s start covered 2.2 innings with 3 strikeouts and 2 earned runs on 3 hits.

The Diamondbacks are scheduled to host the Chicago White Sox on 3/6/2026 at 3:10 PM EDT at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the broadcast is set for AZ Video.