D-backs beat A's 7-2 on Aug 3, 2025, as new faces shine. Blaze Alexander hits his first homer and Tyler Locklear gets his first hit in a big team win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
If Sunday's 7-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics is any indication, the post-trade deadline Diamondbacks are all about new opportunities. In a game that saw recently acquired Tyler Locklear notch his first hit in Sedona Red, it was Blaze Alexander's first home run of the season that truly punctuated a day defined by fresh contributions and a glimpse into the team's retooled future.
Blaze Alexander launched his first home run of the 2025 season, a 397-foot shot to right field that had an exit velocity of 102.4 mph.
The D-backs didn't waste any time setting the tone, jumping out to a commanding 4-0 lead by the third inning. The rally was a full-team effort, with Jake McCarthy, Alek Thomas, and the newly acquired Tyler Locklear all driving in runs. Locklear, who came over from the Mariners in the Eugenio Suárez trade, made an immediate impression, lacing a single in the second inning for his first official hit as a Diamondback. He finished a strong debut going 2-for-4, as did the hot-hitting Alek Thomas who went 3-for-4.
While the early offense was key, the day's biggest blast belonged to Blaze Alexander. In the top of the seventh, Alexander turned on a slider and sent it soaring 397 feet into the right-field seats for his first long ball of the year. The solo shot, which left the bat at 102.4 mph, gave Arizona a crucial 5-2 cushion and broke the game open. Alexander's 2-for-4, 2 RBI day was a powerful reminder of the pop he can provide from the infield.
On the mound, starter Osvaldo Bido delivered a solid performance, navigating five innings and holding the A's to just two runs. He effectively kept Oakland's bats in check, handing a lead over to the bullpen. From there, the relief corps was lights out, tossing three scoreless frames to slam the door and secure the series-clinching victory.
Sunday's win offered the first real look at the D-backs' roster following a flurry of trade deadline activity. With veterans like Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, and Shelby Miller now on other contenders, the focus has clearly shifted. The immediate impact from Locklear is exactly what the front office hoped for, signaling a youth movement and a re-tooling for the future. While saying goodbye to key players is tough, the energy brought by the new and developing players provides a different, but exciting, path forward.
As the Diamondbacks leave Oakland with a series win, the narrative is clear: this is a team in transition, but one with emerging talent ready to seize the moment. The combination of Alexander's power surge and Locklear's seamless debut provides a jolt of optimism. The road ahead will be a test for this revamped squad, but Sunday's game was a promising first chapter in the next era of Diamondbacks baseball.
