Red-hot Eugenio Suarez, D-backs go for sweep of Nats

Eugenio Suarez probably isn’t thrilled that the calendar is about to turn 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 Wednesday afternoon in Phoenix.

Suarez belted three homers in a game for the second time in his career as the Diamondbacks trounced the Nationals 17-0 on Tuesday. He also had three for the Cincinnati Reds against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 5, 2020, during the shortened COVID-19 season.

“I remember that one. That one was in Pittsburgh,” Suarez said. “It feels way different when you have crowds and people are cheering for you.”

Suarez matched his career best of five RBIs and finished with four hits and four runs.

The latest big effort gives Suarez 10 homers and 27 RBIs 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. “When you have good at-bats, the result is going to be there at some point.”

The Diamondbacks, who have won six of their last seven games and sit a half-game out of an NL wild-card spot, matched the 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 tallied the final seven runs on Monday — including five in the ninth — while rallying 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 really early,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “It was tough.”

Martinez has his sights on his club bouncing back and earning a split of a six-game road excursion that began with Washington taking two of three from the St. Louis Cardinals.

“We got a chance to go 3-3 on this road trip, which would say a lot,” Martinez said. “We’ll come back tomorrow and be out of July. It will be a new month.”

Arizona first baseman Christian Walker was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to the Tuesday game, one day after sustaining a left oblique strain.

Tuesday was the first missed game this season for Walker, who likely will be out three to four weeks.

“I’m hoping it’s three weeks and he’s going to do everything he can to make it that or less,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Just needs a little bit of rest and he’s going to recover.”

The Diamondbacks reacted by acquiring veteran first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell from the Miami Marlins for cash considerations or a player to be named before the Tuesday trade deadline.

Arizona and Washington also made a trade with right-hander Dylan Floro being acquired by the Diamondbacks for minor league third baseman Andres Chaparro.

Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen (8-5, 3.70 ERA) will be looking to win his third consecutive start in the series finale.

Gallen defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, allowing three runs and five hits over six-plus innings.

Gallen, who turns 29 on Saturday, is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in three career starts against the Nationals. CJ Abrams is 2-for-4 against Gallen.

Washington left-hander MacKenzie Gore (6-8, 4.51 ERA) will seek his first victory since June 14. The 25-year-old is 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA during the seven-start stretch.

Gore received a no-decision on Friday 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 lefty lost to the Diamondbacks on June 20 after yielding four runs (two earned) on nine hits in five innings.

Randal Grichuk is 4-for-7 with a homer and six RBIs against Gore.

–Field Level Media