The New York Yankees faced a tough defeat against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night, falling 7-5 at Yankee Stadium. This marked the Yankees' first loss of the 2025 season after a successful sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers to open the year. Despite a strong start, the Yankees could not hold onto their lead, ultimately succumbing to a five-run eighth inning from the Diamondbacks.
The game took a decisive turn in the eighth when Eugenio Suárez hit a grand slam off Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr., who had just entered the game. Suárez's blast not only gave Arizona the lead but also highlighted the Yankees’ bullpen struggles, which have come under scrutiny early in the season. "He put a good swing on it and unfortunately, it got out," Leiter stated post-game. "We had a chance to win that game. I’ve got to make better pitches."
Before the eighth inning collapse, the Yankees had built a 4-2 lead thanks to a combination of timely hitting and a fielding error by Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor. The Yankees managed to hit three home runs during the game, with Jasson Domínguez, Anthony Volpe, and Ben Rice all contributing solo shots. Domínguez's home run came in the third inning, while Volpe tied the game in the fourth with a 418-foot drive into the visiting bullpen. Rice added a late solo shot in the ninth, but it was too little, too late.
On the mound for the Yankees, Will Warren made his first start of the season, pitching five innings and allowing only one hit—a two-run homer to Corbin Carroll. Warren’s performance was solid, striking out four while walking four, but the late-game drama overshadowed his efforts. "I felt good out there, but it’s frustrating to lose like this," Warren remarked after the game.
The Yankees' lineup, while potent, struggled with runners in scoring position, finishing 0-for-8 in that category. The top four hitters in the lineup went a combined 0-for-15, which proved detrimental to the team’s chances. Despite their record-setting start to the season with 18 home runs through just four games, the Yankees could not capitalize when it mattered most against Arizona’s bullpen.
Corbin Burnes, making his debut for the Diamondbacks after signing a massive six-year, $210 million contract, pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs—two of which were earned. He threw 98 pitches and struck out eight, showcasing the talent that earned him the 2021 NL Cy Young Award. The Diamondbacks' bullpen, however, stepped up, with four relievers combining to pitch 4 2/3 scoreless innings after Burnes left the game.
Arizona's offensive surge in the eighth began with an RBI single from Geraldo Perdomo, followed by walks to Ketel Marte and Pavin Smith, which loaded the bases for Suárez. With two outs and the bases loaded, Suárez took a 2-2 splitter from Leiter and sent it soaring into the left-field seats, marking his sixth career grand slam and solidifying his hot start to the season with five home runs in five games.
As the Yankees prepare for the next matchup in this three-game series, they will look to bounce back against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The pitching matchup will feature Carlos Rodón for the Yankees, who is still searching for his first win of the season against Arizona's Zac Gallen, who has been impressive in his previous outings against New York.
The Yankees will need to regroup quickly if they hope to keep pace in the competitive AL East. With their strong offensive capabilities, they remain a formidable opponent, but consistency in clutch situations will be key moving forward.
As the season progresses, the pressure will mount. Can the Yankees tighten their bullpen and find a way to convert scoring opportunities? Fans will be eagerly watching as the action continues at Yankee Stadium.
