Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago Cubs in rain delay; Eugenio Suarez out of lineup for finale

CHICAGO — The Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs, whose game started after a 39-minute delay, entered another rain delay before the first inning was complete, but resumed shortly thereafter with the Cubs grabbing an early lead.

With one out in the bottom of the first, umpires called for the tarp to be pulled. Both pitcher Merrill Kelly and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo were speaking with umpires on their way off the field, seemingly bothered by some aspect of the decision-making regarding the delays.

Before the delay, Chicago starter Jameson Taillon held Arizona scoreless in the top of the first. Ian Happ singled and Kyle Tucker drew a walk from Kelly.

When play resumed, Michael Busch singled home Happ.

The game has moved to the fourth inning with the Cubs holding a 1-0 lead.

Eugenio Suarez out of lineup for finale

CHICAGO — Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez is getting his first day off this season, with manager Torey Lovullo saying he had been eyeing this day on the calendar for a while.

The Sunday, April 20, game has been delayed by rain. The game is scheduled for a noon MST (2 p.m. in Chicago) start.

Lovullo is giving Suarez the day despite his strong career numbers against Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon, whom he twice took deep on March 28 at Chase Field.

“I felt like Geno needed a day off,” Lovullo said. “I’m trying to balance that out the best that I can. I know what the conditions are, what the matchup looked like, but I’ve got to, every once in a while, get people off their feet and give them a blow.”

Lovullo said he wanted to combine the day off on April 20 with the April 21 scheduled off day in hopes of allowing Suarez to fully recharge.

Diamondbacks at Cubs, 11:20 a.m., Cox, Ch. 34

RHP Merrill Kelly (3-1, 5.57) vs. Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (1-1, 5.40).

At Wrigley Field: Kelly was sharp in his most recent outing, giving up just one run in six innings against the Marlins last week in Miami. He struck out nine and walked one in what was his best start yet this season. … Kelly’s four-seam fastball has been hit hard this year, with opponents owning a .296 average and .741 slugging off it. … Kelly has a 3.49 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs. Taillon was hit hard in his first outing – he gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings in an outing against the Diamondbacks – but has been better over his past three, posting a 3.63 ERA in 17 1/3 innings. … He is getting whiffs on 44.1 percent of the swings taken against his sweeper. … 3B Eugenio Suarez has hit Taillon well, going 9 for 34 (.265) with two doubles and five homers.

Coming up

Monday, April 21: Off.

Tuesday, April 22: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (3-1, 3.04) vs. Rays RHP Zack Littell (0-4, 5.48).

Wednesday, April 23: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 4.09) vs. Rays RHP Taj Bradley (2-1, 5.24).

Thursday, April 24: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Corbin Burnes (0-1, 4.64) vs. Rays RHP Drew Rasmussen (1-1, 0.87).