In a thrilling and unpredictable showdown at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs narrowly defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 13-11 on April 18, 2025, in a game that will be remembered for its wild swings and dramatic moments. This contest marked one of the most exciting games of the 2025 MLB season, showcasing the resilience and offensive firepower of both teams.
The game started with a slow pace, but the action quickly escalated as the Cubs took an early lead. Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes put in a solid performance, pitching six innings and allowing just two earned runs on six hits. However, the game took a turn when the Cubs exploded for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, thanks in part to a grand slam by Ian Happ, which extended their lead to 7-1.
Despite the daunting deficit, the Diamondbacks were not ready to back down. In the top of the eighth inning, they orchestrated a remarkable comeback, scoring ten runs in a single frame. The inning was sparked by a grand slam from Eugenio Suarez, which brought the score to 7-5. Following that, Geraldo Perdomo hit a single that scored McCarthy, closing the gap to 7-6.
Randal Grichuk then stepped up to the plate and delivered a pivotal double that scored Perdomo and Thomas, flipping the score to 8-7 in favor of the Diamondbacks. The excitement didn’t end there, as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. capped off the inning with a three-run homer, giving Arizona an 11-7 lead.
However, the Cubs were not finished yet. In the bottom of the eighth, they rallied back with six runs, showcasing their own offensive might. Carson Kelly, who had already hit a two-run homer earlier in the game, launched another three-run shot that brought the Cubs within one run at 11-10. Following Kelly’s blast, Happ singled, setting the stage for Kyle Tucker, who hit a go-ahead two-run homer. Seiya Suzuki then added to the Cubs’ tally with another homer, completing the Cubs’ comeback and sealing the game at 13-11.
This game was historic in several ways. According to MLB statistics, the Cubs became just the fifth team in the last 125 seasons to score six or more runs while allowing ten or more runs in the same inning. They are also the first team since the Detroit Tigers in 2004 to achieve this feat. The game featured a total of 16 runs scored in the eighth inning, marking it as the most runs ever recorded in a single inning at Wrigley Field.
The Diamondbacks, despite their loss, had several standout performances. Six players recorded two hits each, with Grichuk contributing two RBIs in the eighth inning. Corbin Carroll also continued his impressive season, reaching base in all 20 games thus far and accumulating 12 RBIs over the last nine games.
After the game, Diamondbacks head coach Torey Lovullo expressed disappointment but also pride in his team’s fighting spirit. "We showed great resilience to come back and take the lead after being down so significantly. It’s a tough loss, but we’ll regroup and come back stronger tomorrow," Lovullo stated.
The Cubs improved their record to 13-9 with this victory, maintaining their lead in the National League Central. Ryan Pressly earned the win after pitching a scoreless ninth inning, solidifying the Cubs' triumph.
As the teams prepare for the second game of their three-game series, the Diamondbacks will be looking to bounce back. The next match is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 11:20 a.m. MST. With the stakes high and both teams eager for a win, fans can expect another thrilling matchup at Wrigley Field.
