July 7, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (center) celebrates with center fielder Alek Thomas (5) and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) after hitting a two-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the seventh inning at Petco Park. Mandatory credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports Eugenio Suarez may not be happy when the calendar turns to August.
The Diamondbacks third baseman has enjoyed a huge month of July and will look to finish it off with a bang when Arizona completes a three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon in Phoenix.
Suarez belted three homers for the second game of his career as the Diamondbacks beat the Nationals 17-0 on Tuesday. He also had three for the Cincinnati Reds against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 5, 2020, during the COVID-19 shortened season.
“I remember one. That was in Pittsburgh,” Suarez said. “It feels different when you have a crowd and people are cheering for you.”
Suarez matched his career best of five RBIs and finished with four hits and four walks.
The latest big effort gave Suarez 10 homers and 27 RBI in July while batting .326 (28-for-86). He had six homers, 32 RBIs and an anemic .196 average entering the month.
“I’m not trying to hit homers,” Suarez said. “If you have a good at-bat, the results will come at some point.”
The Diamondbacks, who have won six of their last seven games and sit a half game out of the NL wild card spot, matched their club record of 22 hits with seven players having at least two.
It was a rough night at the ballpark for the Nationals, who have seen Arizona score 24 consecutive runs. The Diamondbacks scored the last seven runs on Monday — including five in the ninth — as they rallied for a 9-8 victory.
On Tuesday, Arizona scored 11 runs (10 earned) in three innings off Washington starter Patrick Corbin.
“We dug ourselves a hole early,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “It’s tough.”
Martinez has his sights set on a rebounding club and earned a split from a six-game road trip that began with Washington taking two of three from St. Louis.
“We got a chance to go 3-3 on this trip, which is saying a lot,” Martinez said. “We’ll be back tomorrow and out of July. It’ll be a new month.”
Arizona first baseman Christian Walker was placed on the 10-day injured list before Tuesday’s game, a day after sustaining a left oblique strain.
Tuesday was the first game missed this season for Walker, who is likely to be out three to four weeks.
“I’m hoping for three weeks and they’re going to do everything they can do or less,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Just need a little rest and he’ll be fine.”
The Diamondbacks reacted by acquiring veteran first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell from the Miami Marlins for cash consideration or a player to be named before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Arizona and Washington also made a trade for right-hander Dylan Floro who was acquired by the Diamondbacks for minor league third baseman Andres Chaparro.
Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen (8-5, 3.70 ERA) will look to win his third straight start in the series finale.
Gallen defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, allowing three runs and five hits over six-plus innings.
Gallen, who turns 29 on Friday, is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in three career starts against the Nationals. CJ Abrams was 2-for-4 against Gallen.
Washington lefty MacKenzie Gore (6-8, 4.51 ERA) will seek his first victory since June 14, 25 years ago, he is 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA in seven starts.
Gore received a no-decision on Saturday when he gave up six runs and nine hits over five innings against the Cardinals.
Gore is 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against Arizona. The left-hander took the loss against the Diamondbacks on June 20 after yielding four runs (two earned) on nine hits in five innings.
Randal Grichuk was 4-for-7 with a homer and six RBI against Gore.
–Field Level Media
