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Diamondbacks Use Power and Poise to Drop Rays 5–1 at Chase Field
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The Arizona Diamondbacks returned home to the desert and wasted no time reasserting themselves at Chase Field. Backed by a solid start from Brandon Pfaadt, timely power from Pavin Smith and Tim Tawa, and a key insurance run in the 8th, the D-backs took game one of their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays with a convincing 5–1 win on a warm desert night with the roof open.
Game Recap: Rays vs. Diamondbacks | April 21, 2025
📍 Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
🌡️ First Pitch Temp: 88°F (Roof Open)
🕡 Start Time: 6:40PM PST
🎟️ Attendance: 21,810
Starting Pitchers:
- ARI: Brandon Pfaadt (3–1)
- TB: Zack Littell (0–4)
Early Defense and First Inning Feels
Brandon Pfaadt came out dealing, retiring the Rays in order to start the game. Arizona looked to strike early but left a runner stranded after a Pavin Smith double.
In the second, Tampa Bay's Kameron Misner doubled and scored on a Jake Mangum RBI single to give the Rays a 1–0 lead. Arizona threatened in their half but came up empty despite a Gabriel Moreno single.
Diamondbacks Flip the Script in the Third
With one on and one out, Pavin Smith crushed a 2-run homer to the right-field corner, turning a 1–0 deficit into a 2–1 D-backs lead. That energy carried into the fifth, when Tim Tawa launched a solo homer to left, extending the lead to 3–1.
Solid Pitching and Defensive Execution
Pfaadt settled into a rhythm, allowing just one run over six strong innings, including five strikeouts and no walks. The bullpen—Ryan Thompson, Jalen Beeks, and Juan Morillo—combined for three scoreless innings and kept Tampa Bay from mounting a rally.
Arizona Adds Insurance in the Eighth
Corbin Carroll walked to open the inning and scored on a Josh Naylor RBI single. Moments later, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. brought home Pavin Smith with a sac fly, padding Arizona’s lead to 5–1, where it would stay.
Key Performers
- Brandon Pfaadt: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 5 K – W (4–1)
- Pavin Smith: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Tim Tawa: Solo HR in the 5th
- Josh Naylor: 2-for-4, RBI
What’s Next?
Both teams meet again Tuesday night for Game 2 of this three-game set.
Probable Pitchers:
- ARI: Eduardo Rodriguez (1–2)
- TB: Taj Bradley (2–1)
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Hi, I'm Jeff Demers
Sports Director for Sports Media X/Coach Jeff Demers
"For the past ten years, I've been deeply immersed in the world of Valley sports. I wear many hats, serving not only as a Sports Director but also as a journalist, photographer, podcaster, and the creator of the "Sports Media X" program, dedicated to building sports media brands. Beyond my sports endeavors, I'm a fervent entrepreneur and a business coach, specializing in marketing and sales for small businesses."
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