Eugenio Suarez's 9th-inning homer wasn't enough as the D-backs fell 9-8 to the Padres on June 15. Recap the extra-inning thriller and Perdomo's big day.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game that had everything: a deep deficit, a heroic comeback, and ultimately, a gut-punch of a finish. The Arizona Diamondbacks clawed their way back from the brink on Sunday, only to fall 9-8 to the San Diego Padres in a 10-inning heartbreaker at Chase Field. A ninth-inning, three-run blast from Eugenio Suarez sent the ballpark into a frenzy, but the celebration was short-lived, leaving fans and players alike wondering what could have been.
Eugenio Suarez is now on pace for over 40 home runs in 2025, a mark he has only reached once before in his career.
For eight innings, it felt like another frustrating day. Trailing the Padres 7-4 entering the bottom of the ninth, the D-backs' chances looked slim. But this team has fight. After a couple of runners reached, Eugenio Suarez stepped to the plate and delivered pure magic, launching his 21st homer of the season to tie the game at 8-8 and force extras. The joy, however, was fleeting. The Padres pushed a run across in the top of the tenth on a Xander Bogaerts RBI double, and Arizona couldn't answer. Kevin Ginkel was charged with the tough loss, overshadowing a strong offensive day from Geraldo Perdomo, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBI.
The biggest silver lining from Sunday's loss is the continued resurgence of Eugenio Suarez. His game-tying shot was his fourth home run in the last eight games, a torrid pace that has solidified him as the team's premier power threat. Hitting his 21st homer before the All-Star break puts him on a trajectory for over 40 long balls, a feat he's accomplished just once in his career. If Suarez can maintain this level of production, he becomes a true middle-of-the-order force that changes the entire dynamic of the D-backs' lineup.
The bullpen's struggles in the 10th inning underscored a season-long issue, and the front office acted accordingly. Just before the game, the Diamondbacks announced the signing of veteran right-hander Anthony DeSclafani to a major league deal. The 35-year-old, who missed all of 2024 with an injury, has reinvented himself with a new pitch mix including a split-change and a sweeper. To make room, Bryce Jarvis was optioned to Reno and Justin Martinez was moved to the 60-day IL. It's a clear signal that the team knows it needs more reliable arms to close out tight games like Sunday's.
Another player who continues to shine is Lourdes Gurriel Jr. While his contributions were quieter on Sunday, he still managed a hit, a walk, and a stolen base. The hit extended his impressive June run, where he's now hit safely in 11 of 13 games. He's batting a cool .295 for the month and has even added a new dimension with his legs, swiping two bags in the last five games. Gurriel's consistent, professional at-bats provide a steadying presence in the lineup, even on days when the final score doesn't go the team's way.
Dropping to 36-35 after a game that was within their grasp is tough, but the D-backs showed their resilience. The offense, led by the red-hot Suarez, proved it can erase any deficit. Now, the focus shifts to the newly reinforced bullpen. With DeSclafani joining the fold, the hope is that the next time the offense delivers late-game heroics, the pitching will be there to seal the deal. It's time to shake this one off and prove they can win these nail-biters.
