The Arizona Diamondbacks closed out their three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians with two wins and one loss, a set that featured resilient pitching, late-game heroics, and a long overdue coaching change. The results offered a mix of optimism and lingering concerns as the team continues to chase relevance in the Wild Card race.
Game One: Missed Opportunities
Arizona opened the series with a frustrating 3–1 loss. Zac Gallen delivered six innings of work but allowed a pair of home runs. The Diamondbacks’ offense struggled
to produce in key moments, going just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Geraldo Perdomo continued his steady run at the plate, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the missed chances.
Game Two: Bats Break Through
The second game provided a much-needed offensive spark. Eduardo Rodriguez gave Arizona nearly seven innings, keeping the team close until the lineup came alive. Jake McCarthy connected for an opposite-field home run, while Corbin Carroll added two triples to set a new franchise single-season record. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. delivered the decisive blow with a two-run single in the late innings, and the bullpen held firm to secure a 6–4 victory.
Game Three: Walk-Off Celebration
The finale turned into one of Arizona’s most exciting wins of the season. Pfaadt again impressed, working seven innings and limiting Cleveland to two runs. In the ninth, Gurriel Jr. tied the game with a solo home run, setting up a dramatic finish. In extra innings, Alek Thomas laid down a key bunt, and Adrian Del Castillo followed with a sharp single to right field, giving the Diamondbacks a 2–1 walk-off victory. It was Del Castillo’s second career walk-off hit and a moment that electrified Chase Field.
Key Performers
Gurriel Jr. emerged as the offensive catalyst, driving in three runs in the second game and homering in the ninth inning of the finale. His production has been critical during the stretch run, and his strong season could influence a significant off-season decision regarding his contract. Carroll continued to showcase his unique blend of speed and power, becoming just the second player since 1940 to record multiple two-triple games in a season. Perdomo added timely hitting once again, particularly with runners in scoring position, while Pfaadt and E-Rod’s strong outings helped stabilize the rotation.
Carroll’s Historic Triples Push and Power Surge
Corbin Carroll continued to etch his name into franchise history during the series against Cleveland. On Tuesday, the 25-year-old outfielder collected two triples, setting a new Diamondbacks single-season record with 16. It marked his fourth multi-triple game of the year, a remarkable feat that underscores both his speed and his ability to find gaps. Carroll finished the set 4-for-11 with a stolen base, adding to a season that already features career highs in both triples and home runs.
Carroll’s offensive profile has evolved in 2025. While his on-base percentage has dipped from his rookie year, his slugging percentage sits at .556, powered not just by home runs but also by his uncanny knack for stretching hits into extra bases. That slugging mark places him in rare company within Diamondbacks history. Only a handful of players: Luis Gonzalez, Paul Goldschmidt, Ketel Marte, Jay Bell, and Chad Tracy, have finished a season north of .550. Considering Chase Field has played far less hitter-friendly in recent years, Carroll’s output stands out even more.
With several weeks left in the season, Carroll still has an outside shot at challenging a stat line of 20+ home runs, 20+ triples, 20+ doubles, and 20+ stolen bases. The last person to do that was Jimmy Rollins, and it would put him in a small group of greats to do it like Willy Mays. If anyone has the speed and instincts to make that push, it’s Carroll, whose blend of power and explosiveness remains one of Arizona’s most dynamic weapons.
Coaching Change at Third Base
Following the finale, manager Torey Lovullo announced that Shaun Larkin had been removed from his role as third base coach. Larkin will remain with the team for player development, but his repeated questionable sends, including waving Alek Thomas home on a non-competitive play in the final game, proved costly. The Diamondbacks are ranked 3rd worst in the league in outs at home plate, and the move was widely viewed as overdue. Mid-season coaching changes remain rare across the league, but this decision was much needed.
Roster Moves and Player Development
The Diamondbacks are preparing for the return of catcher Gabriel Moreno, who is completing a rehab assignment. His activation could create a roster crunch between veterans James McCann and Jose Herrera, as well as Del Castillo, who continues to make offensive contributions but is still developing defensively.
In the minor leagues, right-hander Daniel Eagan earned a promotion to Double-A after dominating in Hillsboro with a 2.49 ERA and 132 strikeouts in his first professional season. Infielder Jansel Luis has carried a batting average above .300 thanks to a recent hot streak, while young prospect Kayson Cunningham made his debut, enduring early struggles but gaining valuable experience.
Playoff Positioning
Despite taking two out of three from Cleveland, the Diamondbacks remain six games back of the final Wild Card spot, currently held by the Mets. They sit just behind the Reds and Cardinals, both of whom have struggled recently. The next series against the Cincinnati Reds carries heightened importance. Cincinnati swept Arizona earlier in the year, and the outcome of this rematch could significantly influence the Diamondbacks’ rapidly fading postseason chances.
Final Outlook
The series against the Guardians highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of this Diamondbacks club. Arizona received quality starting pitching and timely offensive contributions, but ongoing issues with base-running decisions and offensive inconsistency remain unresolved. The coaching change at third base underscores the organization’s epiphany to correct mistakes that have cost valuable runs.
With Moreno set to return and several prospects showing promise in the minors, the future remains bright. We question whether that bright future is sooner rather than later. For now, however, the focus stays squarely on the present. To keep any modicum of postseason hopes alive, the Diamondbacks will need to build on the positives from the Guardians series and carry that momentum into a crucial showdown with the Reds.
