Eugenio Suárez Shines as Diamondbacks Redeem Themselves with Victory Over Cubs
The Arizona Diamondbacks bounced back from a tough Opening Day performance with a dominant 8-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday, showcasing impressive pitching and a standout offensive effort.
After a rough outing from ace Zac Gallen, right-hander Merrill Kelly delivered a solid performance in his 2025 debut. Although Kelly walked four batters and struck out just one, he allowed only three hits and one earned run in 5.1 innings, keeping the Cubs in check. His lone run allowed came after defensive errors by Geraldo Perdomo and Josh Naylor set up Pete Crow-Armstrong for an RBI double in the second inning. Kelly also picked off Crow-Armstrong in the fourth, helping to maintain control.
On the offensive side, third baseman Eugenio Suárez had an extraordinary night. Suárez, who homered on Thursday, continued his hot streak with two homers and four RBIs on Friday. His first homer, a two-run shot off Cubs starter Jameson Taillon, gave Arizona a 2-1 lead. In his next at-bat, Suárez hit another two-run homer to extend the lead to 4-1, following a single by Pavin Smith. Suárez nearly hit a third homer in his third at-bat, flying out just short of the wall.
Suárez’s two homers in the game brought him into elite company, as he became the second player in franchise history, alongside Luis Gonzalez, to hit three homers in the first two games of a season. Suárez finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs and also hustled down the line to avoid a double play, leading to another run in the seventh.
Suárez shared his thoughts on the game, saying, “Obviously, it feels great to have a start like this. I just want to keep going, take whatever the baseball gives me. And today, it’s a good day for the team and for me.”
Manager Torey Lovullo also praised Suárez’s fire, noting, “He’s got a real ease to his game, but when he gets mad, he finds a way to beat you.”
Arizona’s offense was clicking across the board, out-hitting the Cubs 14-3. Ketel Marte went 2-for-5 with a double, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs, and Pavin Smith contributed a 3-for-4 performance with an RBI and two runs scored. Alek Thomas, who struggled during Spring Training, went 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored.
Though Corbin Carroll went 0-for-4, he made solid contact, including two well-hit flies with exit velocities of 98.3 MPH and 116 MPH.
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen kept the Cubs at bay for 4.2 innings. Ryan Thompson and Joe Mantiply combined for scoreless outings, while Shelby Miller delivered an outstanding performance, striking out the side in the eighth and working a stress-free ninth to close out the win. Miller threw 16 strikes in 17 pitches, not allowing a walk or hit.
“It was a nice bounce-back after yesterday,” said Miller. “We really responded well and tightened things up.”
The Diamondbacks will face the Cubs again on Saturday at Chase Field, with the first pitch set for 5:10 p.m.
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