Eugenio Suárez powered the Diamondbacks to an 11-4 win over the Rockies on Wednesday, smashing his first grand slam since the 2018 All-Star season. Suárez’s sixth-inning blast not only cleared the bases but also helped extend Arizona’s winning streak to a season-high six games.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The bases were loaded thanks to Rockies pitcher Riley Pint, who struggled with control. Pint hit Joc Pederson with an 89 mph slider and then plunked Lourdes Gurriel Jr. with a 95 mph fastball, both on the first pitch of their at-bats. After a subsequent walk, Suárez stepped up and delivered the decisive blow.
While it was the first time that Pint has hit a batter across his five appearances in the majors, the young righty has also struggled with finding the zone. Pint, including his one appearance in 2023, has walked eight batters in 3.2 innings on the mound.
After the game, Eugenio Suarez spoke about what he was trying to do following these hit-by-pitches, telling reporters, “I just wanted to send a message.”
Video credits to @PHNX_Dbacks
“I just wanted to send a message.”
Eugenio Suárez on hitting a grand slam after seeing two of his teammates get plunked by Riley Pint: pic.twitter.com/Voxkm2X543
— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) August 15, 2024
Control issues were a recurring theme for Rockies pitchers throughout the game. Four Diamondbacks batters were hit by pitches, including Suárez in the first inning, marking the highest number of hit batters Arizona has faced in a single game this season.
Suárez had an all-around great afternoon, going 3-for-4 at the plate, including two extra-base hits. He led the team with five RBIs, raising his season batting average to .234, its highest since May 5th. Additionally, his .430 slugging percentage is at its peak since April 12th.
In the last 28 days, Suárez has nearly doubled his home run total for the season and boasts a .985 OPS over that span.
