Eugenio Suárez hits 2 HRs to continue a hot start to the season, D-backs
top the Cubs 8-1
[March 29, 2025]
By DAVID BRANDT
PHOENIX (AP) — Eugenio Suárez hit a pair of two-run
homers, Merrill Kelly threw 5 1/3 solid innings and the Arizona
Diamondbacks beat the Chicago Cubs 8-1 on Friday night.
Arizona's Pavin Smith and Alek Thomas each had three hits, including two
doubles apiece. Geraldo Perdomo and Josh Naylor hit RBI singles.
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Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez, right, smiles as he celebrates his
two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs with Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith
(26) during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025,
in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) |
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Suárez hit both of his homers off Cubs
right-hander Jameson Tallion (0-1), who gave up six runs over 4
1/3 innings. The third baseman connected for a two-run shot in
the second and again in the fourth, blasting both balls to
roughly the same area of the left field stands.
He also had a solo homer on opening day Thursday.
Suárez nearly went deep again in the fifth, hitting a towering
fly ball to the warning track that was caught by Ian Happ. He
finished with four RBIs.
The 33-year-old's hot start at the plate follows a torrid second
half in 2024, when he hit .307 with 20 homers over 65 games
following the All-Star break.
Kelly (1-0) gave up just one run on three hits over 5 1/3
innings. He walked four and struck out one. Chicago managed just
three hits and scored its only run on Pete Crow-Armstong's RBI
single in the second.
Arizona's Shelby Miller threw two scoreless innings in his
return to the club, including striking out the side in the
eighth. He was a starting pitcher for the organization from 2016
to 2018.
The D-backs won despite three errors in the field.
Key moment
Suarez's second homer pushed the D-backs' lead to 4-1, giving
Arizona's pitching staff a little cushion.
Key stat
Suarez has three homers over the first two games of the season,
tying a franchise record set by Luis Gonzalez in 2001.
Up next
The D-backs send RHP Brandon Pfaadt to the mound on Saturday
night in the third of a four-game series. The Cubs counter with
LHP Shota Imanaga (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
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