The Diamondbacks defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 Wednesday night, but perhaps the biggest storyline for the game was the performance of their previously struggling hitters. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Eugenio Suárez both played key roles offensively late in the game, responsible for scoring their final two runs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Gurriel has mightily struggled since a hot start out of the gate. He’s been mired in a deep slump after hitting .317 with four home runs and a .936 OPS in his first 14 games. He has not drawn a walk in his last 16 games, batting .188 over that stretch without a home run. His average dropped to .234 on the season in a matter of three weeks, getting dropped to the fifth spot in the order after spending most of the year batting in the top third.
However, Gurriel was able to scratch a single to right field to lead off the top of the sixth. While it wasn’t hard-hit, registering an exit velocity of just 81.2 MPH, it showcased the all-fields approach manager Torey Lovullo wants his hitters to have. He scored the decisive run of the game two batters later.
Suárez also played a role in that sixth inning, as his single moved Gurriel into scoring position and set the stage for Gabriel Moreno to drive in the go-ahead run. He later added a home run in the eighth, his third of the season, providing an important insurance run that allowed the Diamondbacks to weather a tough ninth inning. Suárez has seen his numbers nosedive as well, hitting just .215 on the year with a .598 OPS and a 28% strikeout rate entering the game.
Genooo. 🤙 pic.twitter.com/NWmYf4Tqq0
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 9, 2024
The team still expects Gurriel and Suárez to provide middle-of-the-order thump and drive in runs, which they’ve shown at times in 2024. While Corbin Carroll has drawn more attention for his slump, the two veterans have been the poster child for the team’s recent offensive struggles. However, as Carroll is slowly working out his slump, the same could be said sta for Gurriel and Suárez, especially if their recent game has any indication as such.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
