Diamondbacks Answer Back for Dramatic Comeback Win Over Brewers

By J. Rosalye Luna

PHOENIX — Corbin Burnes made his home debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night, facing his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers, in the second game of a three-game series at Chase Field. Burnes, who signed a six-year deal with the D-backs in December, pitched six innings in a tightly contested matchup that ended in thrilling fashion.

Burnes, a 2024 All-MLB First Team selection, went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA in 32 starts last season for the Orioles. On Saturday, he allowed four hits, three runs, two walks, and struck out three over 88 pitches (55 strikes) in a no-decision.

Milwaukee struck early, scoring two runs in the second inning and adding a solo homer from Jackson Chourio in the sixth to take a 3-0 lead. Arizona threatened in the fourth and fifth innings but left two runners stranded in each frame.

Brewers starter Chad Patrick, making his first career appearance against Arizona and his third start of the season, held the D-backs in check. He entered the game following a strong outing against Cincinnati in which he earned his first major league win.

Saturday’s game was also a promotion night at Chase Field, with the first 20,000 fans receiving a Eugenio Suárez bobblehead. Suárez went 2-for-4 at the plate in the win.

The D-backs, trailing 4-0 entering the bottom of the ninth, lived up to their nickname — the “Answerbacks.”

Alek Thomas led off the inning with a triple, scoring Gabriel Moreno to put Arizona on the board. Trevor Megill replaced Joel Payamps on the mound, but Arizona wasn’t done. Garrett Hampson drew a walk, and Corbin Carroll followed with a two-run double to center field, scoring Thomas and Hampson to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Geraldo Perdomo was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with one out. Jake McCarthy tied the game with a line-drive single to right, bringing Carroll home. After Megill issued an intentional walk to Bo Naylor to load the bases, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Perdomo and sealing a 5-4 walk-off victory.

Ryne Nelson, who came on in relief of Burnes, was credited with the win—his first of the season.

Arizona improved to 1-1 in the series. Milwaukee dropped to 3-2 on its current six-game road trip, which includes visits to Colorado and Arizona following a 5-2 homestand.

Following the game, Corbin Carroll said it had been “a frustrating couple innings of baseball” on the offensive side leading up to Saturday night’s comeback win.

Jake McCarthy noted the importance of being ready when the game is on the line.

He went on to say that when you can impact the outcome of the game, you want to be in a situation where the teamm can execute. McCarthy added that the team’s mindset moving forward is to “stay even-keeled,” acknowledging the long season ahead.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said it was “not an easy game,” especially after the team had gone 17 consecutive scoreless innings entering Saturday’s contest. Lovullo admitted there was some frustration during the game but said he was proud of the team’s effort and resilience in securing the win.

NEXT GAME: The Diamondbacks and Brewers conclude the series Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. at Chase Field. Arizona ace Zac Gallen (1-2) will make his fourth start of the season, while Milwaukee sends Freddy Peralta (1-1) to the mound.