Eugenio Suárez hits 2 HRs to continue a hot start to the season, D-backs top the Cubs 8-1

PHOENIX (AP) — Eugenio Suárez hit a pair of two-run homers, Merrill Kelly threw 5 1/3 solid innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago Cubs 8-1 on Friday night.

Arizona's Pavin Smith and Alek Thomas each had three hits, including two doubles apiece. Geraldo Perdomo and Josh Naylor hit RBI singles.

Suárez hit both of his homers off Cubs right-hander Jameson Tallion (0-1), who gave up six runs over 4 1/3 innings. The third baseman connected for a two-run shot in the second and again in the fourth, blasting both balls to roughly the same area of the left field stands.

He also had a solo homer on opening day Thursday.

Suárez nearly went deep again in the fifth, hitting a towering fly ball to the warning track that was caught by Ian Happ. He finished with four RBIs.

The 33-year-old's hot start at the plate follows a torrid second half in 2024, when he hit .307 with 20 homers over 65 games following the All-Star break.

Kelly (1-0) gave up just one run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out one. Chicago managed just three hits and scored its only run on Pete Crow-Armstong's RBI single in the second.

Arizona's Shelby Miller threw two scoreless innings in his return to the club, including striking out the side in the eighth. He was a starting pitcher for the organization from 2016 to 2018.

The D-backs won despite three errors in the field.

Suarez's second homer pushed the D-backs' lead to 4-1, giving Arizona's pitching staff a little cushion.

Suarez has three homers over the first two games of the season, tying a franchise record set by Luis Gonzalez in 2001.

The D-backs send RHP Brandon Pfaadt to the mound on Saturday night in the third of a four-game series. The Cubs counter with LHP Shota Imanaga (0-0, 0.00 ERA).

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Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera, right, tags out Chicago Cubs' Nico Hoerner, left, at home plate during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Chicago Cubs' Nico Hoerner breaks his bat on a swing during the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw chases down a bunt hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Jose Herrera, before throwing the first base for the out, during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez connects for a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo pauses in the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor, right, beats Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ (8) to first base for the out as Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly, center, avoids a collision during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon exhales as he walks off the field after retiring the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez, right, smiles as he celebrates his two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs with Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith (26) during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tyler Glasnow tossed five shutout innings in his season debut, Teoscar Hernández hit a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the winless Atlanta Braves 6-1 on Monday night.

The defending champions are 6-0 for the first time since 1981, when they won the World Series.

Atlanta fell to 0-5 for the first time since starting 0-9 in 2016.

Glasnow (1-0) gave up singles to Jarred Kelenic and Michael Harris II in the fifth — and that was it. The right-hander struck out eight and walked three in a series opener between perennial National League pennant contenders.

Hernández's 436-foot shot to center field in the first scored Shohei Ohtani, who walked. Ohtani has scored in all six games this season.

The Dodgers extended their lead to 4-0 in the third on Michael Conforto's RBI double and Tommy Edman's sacrifice fly. Will Smith added an RBI single in the fifth.

Kiké Hernández homered leading off the sixth against 41-year-old Jesse Chavez, called up from Triple-A earlier in the day for his fifth stint with Atlanta since 2021.

Braves starter Grant Holmes (0-1) gave up four runs and four hits over four innings in his season debut. He struck out three and walked four.

Atlanta put right-hander Reynaldo López on the injured list with shoulder inflammation.

Harris’ homer to center in the eighth off Tanner Scott snapped a streak of 29 consecutive scoreless innings for Atlanta.

Ohtani went 0 for 3 with three strikeouts and two walks, dropping his batting average under .300.

LHP Chris Sale (0-0, 5.40 ERA), last season's NL Cy Young Award winner, starts Tuesday night for the Braves.

Dodgers RHP Dustin May pitches in the majors for the first time since May 2023. May had Tommy John surgery that year and last summer underwent emergency surgery to repair a tear in his esophagus caused by a salad.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Atlanta Braves Grant Holmes throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in, Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies, left, turns a double play at second base after forcing out Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy, right, during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in, Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in, Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández hits a two-run home run against Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in, Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)