D-backs beat Padres 6-2 on Aug. 5, 2025, for their 3rd straight win. Tyler Locklear and Alek Thomas homer as Arizona's bats come alive. Read the recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when things looked bleakest, the Arizona Diamondbacks have found a spark. Riding a wave of timely hitting and resilient pitching, the D-backs secured a decisive 6-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday night, marking their third consecutive win and a much-needed course correction after a brutal 1-9 skid. The vibes are suddenly immaculate at Chase Field, with contributions coming from familiar faces and new arrivals alike.
Alek Thomas is hitting .371 (13-for-35) with three homers and five RBIs in 11 games since the All-Star break.
The offense provided plenty of cushion for starter Brandon Pfaadt, who battled for the win. While Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. did the heavy lifting with two RBIs each, the long ball provided the early energy. Alek Thomas continued his tear with a solo shot, but the biggest roar came from the bat of Tyler Locklear. The first baseman, acquired in the recent Eugenio Suárez trade, launched his first home run in a Diamondbacks uniform, a welcome sign of power from the new addition. It was a complete team effort at the plate that kept the Padres at bay all night.
It's not an exaggeration to say Alek Thomas has been a different player since the All-Star break. Going 2-for-4 with a homer on Monday, Thomas raised his batting average to a scorching .371 over his last 11 games. In that span, he's crushed three home runs and driven in five, providing a consistent threat from the bottom half of the order. His resurgence has been a critical component of the team's recent success, turning the lineup into a much deeper, more dangerous unit.
The good news on the field was tempered slightly by the loss of key reliever Kevin Ginkel, who was placed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder sprain. But in his absence, the next men up answered the call. Andrew Hoffmann, recalled from Reno to take Ginkel's spot, immediately contributed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. The night's biggest milestone, however, belonged to Kyle Backhus. The rookie lefty came on for the final two innings and was perfect, retiring all six Padres he faced to lock down his first career MLB save. It was a gutsy performance that showcased the organization's pitching depth.
Three wins in a row doesn't erase the sting of a ten-game slump, but it's a massive step in the right direction. With the offense clicking, Alek Thomas looking like an All-Star, and new arms stepping up, the Diamondbacks are showing the fight that fans have been desperate to see. The challenge now is to sustain it. As they continue this crucial series against the Padres, the D-backs have a chance to prove this isn't just a hot streak, but the start of a meaningful second-half push.
