Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/30/25): D-Backs 10, Cubs 6 – Bullpen Meltdown Spells Doom in Desert
The Cubs came into Sunday’s game against the Diamondbacks looking for their first series win of 2025. Chicago appeared to be in excellent shape before the bullpen imploded and Arizona erupted for eight runs in the 8th inning to win.
Dansby Swanson got the scoring underway when he blasted a deep solo home run to center field off of Eduardo Rodríguez in the bottom of the 2nd that put Chicago ahead 1-0. Matt Boyd had some traffic on the bases but had a solid start going five scoreless frames.
Seiya Suzuki woke up from his early-season slump with a two-run homer that splashed into the pool in center to put the North Siders in front 3-0 in the 6th. Nate Pearson relieved Boyd in the bottom of the frame and struggled, giving up two runs in an inning plus of work. Caleb Thielbar escaped a bases-loaded jam that Pearson left him in the 7th to preserve a 3-2 Cubs lead.
The 8th inning started out great, with Kyle Tucker crushing his second homer of the season. His three-run shot gave the road team a 6-2 advantage. Thielbar then walked the first two batters in the bottom of the frame and the bullpen went off the rails.
Eli Morgan came on and immediately gave up a two-run double to Geraldo Perdomo and a game-tying homer to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. The D-Backs kept pouring it on, scoring four more times and eventually winning by a score of 10-6. (Box score)
Key Moment
The Cubs bullpen had been living dangerously all game Sunday, handing out leadoff walks in three consecutive innings. They paid a huge price for the two walks in the 8th ans Arizona exploded for eight runs.
Why the Cubs Lost
A very winnable game was lost by the relievers’ inability to throw strikes.
Stats That Matter
- Boyd had his own control issues but limited damage: 5 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 5 K, and 3 BB.
- Suzuki had a single in addition to his homer.
- Swanson also had a pair of hits Sunday.
Bottom Line
So far, it’s another year with the Cubs bullpen looking woefully inadequate to begin the season. It feels like a broken record, but needing two months to figure out the ‘pen does not seem like a good strategy to make the postseason. With a very difficult schedule ahead, it’s going to be a real adventure at the end of games.
On Deck
The Cubs head to Sacramento for the first time ever for a matchup with the Athletics starting Monday at 9:05pm CT. Ben Brown gets the start against Joey Estes in a contest airing on Marquee with radio coverage on 670 The Score.
