Cubs Edge Diamondbacks in Dramatic High-Scoring Game

CHICAGO, April 18, 2025 — In an exhilarating showdown at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 13-11 on Friday afternoon. The game featured multiple lead changes and showcased the offensive strengths and resilience of both teams.

The Cubs entered the game with a record of 12-9, having lost two of their last three matches, while the Diamondbacks sat at 12-7, riding a five-game winning streak. Chicago, coming off a loss to the San Diego Padres, was eager to get back on track.

Cubs starting pitcher Corbin Burnes threw six solid innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits. The game started slowly, but the tide turned in the seventh inning when the Cubs erupted for five runs, highlighted by a grand slam from Ian Happ, pushing their lead to 7-1.

However, Arizona wasn’t ready to concede. In a remarkable display, they scored ten runs in the eighth inning, courtesy of a grand slam by Eugenio Suarez that cut the deficit to 7-5. They scored further with significant contributions from Randal Grichuk and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who helped reclaim an 11-7 lead.

Refusing to back down, the Cubs answered in the bottom of the eighth, scoring six runs to secure their victory. Carson Kelly, who hit a two-run homer earlier in the game, added three more runs with another home run, while Kyle Tucker‘s two-run blast put Chicago ahead for good.

This match will be remembered for its fireworks, with a total of 16 runs scored in the eighth inning, marking a record for Wrigley Field. Cubs coach David Ross praised his team’s determination, saying, “We showed our ability to fight back, no matter the score. This game highlights our offensive capabilities.”

Despite the loss, Arizona had notable performances, with six players collecting two hits each, including Grichuk, who had two RBIs in the monumental eighth inning. Diamondbacks coach Torey Lovullo expressed pride in his team’s comeback but acknowledged disappointment in the final outcome. “We showed great resilience to come back and take the lead after being down significantly. It’s a tough loss, but we’ll regroup and come back stronger tomorrow,” Lovullo stated.

With this victory, the Cubs improved their record to 13-9, maintaining their lead in the National League Central. The teams will face off again in the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 11:20 a.m. MST.