Eugenio Suárez hit a home run, a double, and drove in three runs, while Geraldo Perdomo had three hits and a standout defensive play in the ninth inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Atlanta Braves 7-5 on Wednesday night.
The win was the Diamondbacks’ first against the Braves this season, snapping a five-game losing streak to Atlanta.
“We have a really strong team, and we never quit,” Suarez said. “We came here ready to play all 27 outs, and today we did it better. We put our best effort on the field, and that’s why we got the win.”
Paul Sewald closed out the game in the ninth inning to earn his 12th save of the season, bouncing back from three recent blown saves. Perdomo’s diving play at shortstop in the ninth was crucial, as he made a spectacular throw to retire Travis d’Arnaud for the first out.
The game was tied 5-5 in the eighth inning when Corbin Carroll led off with a double, setting up Ketel Marte’s infield single to move him to third.
Joc Pederson was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Christian Walker drew a walk on a full count to give Arizona the lead. Perdomo added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 7-5.
Suarez got his night started with a two-run homer in the second inning, a 452-foot shot off Charlie Morton that tied the game at 2-2.
“I was prepared for that pitch,” Suarez said. “I put my best swing on it, and that’s why I hit the big home run. I’ve been working hard for moments like that.”
Suarez later doubled down the left-field line in the seventh inning to give the Diamondbacks a 4-3 lead. It was another productive game for the third baseman, who has been improving after a slow start to the season. Suarez entered the game hitting .205 with seven home runs.
Morton pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with five strikeouts. The 40-year-old right-hander left the game after giving up a single to Perdomo in the seventh, setting the stage for Suarez’s double off Pierce Johnson.
