The D-backs' offense, led by Eugenio Suarez, couldn't overcome a bullpen collapse in a 6-5 loss to the Cardinals on July 18. Read how injuries are derailing Arizona.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a familiar, frustrating story at a scorching Chase Field on Friday night. The Diamondbacks' bats did their job, powered by another Eugenio Suarez home run, but a late-game lead evaporated as the bullpen couldn't hold on, leading to a gut-punch 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals to open the series.
The Diamondbacks' offense ranks 4th in MLB in runs per game (5.1) and 4th in home runs (141), yet the team sits at 47-51.
The series opener against the Cardinals felt like a winnable game for most of the night. Starter Brandon Pfaadt battled through the St. Louis lineup, and the offense provided enough support to build a lead. However, the game unraveled in the late innings as the Cardinals rallied against the D-backs' bullpen, ultimately sealing the 6-5 victory for the visitors and dropping Arizona's record to 47-51.
It's impossible to discuss the team's late-game struggles without acknowledging the elephant in the training room: a staggering injury list. The pitching staff, in particular, has been decimated. With key arms like Corbin Burnes, A.J. Puk, and Tommy Henry all on the 60-day IL, the depth is being severely tested. The absence of catcher Gabriel Moreno and others only adds to the challenge, forcing the team to rely on patchwork solutions that proved insufficient on Friday.
Despite the frustrating outcome, the offense remains a significant bright spot. Eugenio Suarez continued his torrid pace, launching his 31st home run of the season and bringing his RBI total to an impressive 78. He's the anchor of a lineup that consistently puts runs on the board. Alongside him, Josh Naylor maintains a strong .294 batting average, providing another reliable bat. This offensive firepower is what keeps the team competitive on a nightly basis.
While Friday's loss stings, the series is far from over. The D-backs will need a stronger performance from their pitching staff to support their high-powered offense in the next two games against St. Louis. With the team sitting four games below .500 and 11 games out of first, each game feels increasingly critical as the season's second half wears on.
