The Arizona Diamondbacks expressed optimism about their season Thursday night at Chase Field but ended suffering a 10-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Opening Day. (Photo by Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – Before Zac Gallen delivered the first pitch of the 2025 MLB season for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kenny Dillingham and several members of the Big 12 Conference champion Arizona State football team threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Torey Lovullo, who enters his ninth season as manager of the Diamondbacks, spoke highly of his growing relationship with Dillingham.
“I appreciate him, his honesty, his ability to drive, lead and share. And I’m going to tap into his knowledge as best I can,” Lovullo said. “We’re trying to bring a championship to this Valley the best way we know how.”
Since ASU hired Dillingham in 2022, the coach has preached his motto “Activate the Valley.” Now, as conference champions, that motto has reverberated beyond the football field.
The Valley of late has become a community of symbiotic relationships. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray appearing at Phoenix Suns games. Suns guard Devin Booker popping up on the big screen at a Diamondbacks game. The crossover has made the sports community feel more connected.
“This is exactly what ‘Activate the Valley’ is,” Dillingham said. “For the Diamondbacks to embrace Arizona State football and Arizona State and do this is the definition of ‘Activate the Valley.’”
Quarterback Sam Leavitt, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, defensive back Xavion Alford and defensive lineman C.J. Fite joined Dillingham to throw out the first pitch.
“When those guys came to Arizona State, it was the lowest of the low,” Dillingham said. “Nowhere in their wildest dreams did they imagine being selected to throw out the first pitch in one of the largest cities in the country for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day. That’s something they’ll never forget.”
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini and new women’s basketball coach Molly Miller were also on the field during the pregame pageantry.
On the field, Thursday’s game didn’t quite match the excitement of the pregame ceremony.
Expectations are high for the Diamondbacks, but the Chicago Cubs spoiled the Opening Day festivities with a 10-6 win.
Zac Gallen started his third-straight Opening Day for the Diamondbacks. Most of the damage to Gallen came in the top of the second inning. Cubs outfielder Ian Happ brought home a pair with a two-run double, and offseason acquisition Kyle Tucker followed with an RBI single.
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham, center, holds up the Big 12 football championship trophy Thursday at Chase Field. From left, ASU defensive back Xavion Alford, defensive lineman C.J. Fite, wide receiver Jordan Tyson and quarterback Sam Leavitt joined Dillingham in throwing out the first pitch. (Photo by Cronkite News)
In the fourth inning, Happ drove a solo homer out to right field to give the Cubs a 4-2 lead. Gallen received the loss and finished the game after four innings and 83 pitches. He allowed four runs, walked four and struck out four.
“Working a little too fast there in the second and having trouble executing,” Gallen said postgame. “Tough time getting in a rhythm. But it’s the first one of the year, so I’ve got 30 more.”
When the Diamondbacks signed Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million contract, some thought he would get the ball on Opening Day. Instead, his highly anticipated debut is slated for April 1 in New York against the Yankees.
Arizona’s second-biggest offseason move was trading for first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians. Naylor made an immediate impact with an RBI single in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning. Naylor finished the day 1-for-5.
Eugenio Suárez hit the first home run of the season for the Diamondbacks, a solo shot to left in the bottom of the second inning. Suárez ended his day 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
Randal Grichuk made his first Opening Day start since 2022 when he played for the Colorado Rockies. He was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the sixth inning and finished 1-for-2.
“It’s an honor to be out on a big league club on Opening Day, regardless of whether you’re playing or not,” Grichuk said before the game. “It’s a fresh start for all teams, so everybody’s got a chance.”
In February, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension to stay in Arizona. In his first game since the extension, Perdomo went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Corbin Carroll made his third-straight Opening Day start. After a slightly down year last season, Carroll adjusted his batting stance in the season opener, and said before the game that he feels more settled in heading into his third full MLB season.
“We want to win,” he said. “We want to get back in the playoffs. To not have that last year hurt all of us.”
Former ASU baseball player Merrill Kelly is scheduled to take the mound for the Diamondbacks Friday as Arizona looks for its first win of the 2025 season.
“The fans were here,” Lovullo said. “There was a ton of energy. You just wish you could go out and play a better game, play Diamondbacks baseball. We will. We’re going to get there.”