The San Diego Padres crushed the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-4 at PETCO Park on a scorching evening with temperatures reaching 100 degrees. This victory elevated the Padres’ record to 89-72, solidifying their position as 2nd in the NL West. On the other hand, the Diamondbacks slipped to 80-81, finding themselves in 4th place in the division.
Early Offense
San Diego wasted no time in asserting their dominance, jumping to a 5-1 lead after the first inning. Arizona’s pitching struggled from the outset as Brandon Pfaadt labored through his outing. He managed to complete only 4 innings, allowing 6 hits and 8 runs, 7 of which were earned.
The Padres extended their advantage by adding another run in the third inning, making it 6-2. Despite a solid performance by Ketel Marte, who homered and notched one of the Diamondbacks’ four runs, Arizona struggled to keep pace.
Mid-Game Momentum
San Diego pulled away with a three-run fifth inning, pushing their lead to 9-2. Manny Machado played a pivotal role, driving in two runs and hitting a home run, which further demoralized the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff.
In the sixth and seventh innings, the Padres added three more runs, bringing the score to 12-2. Jake Cronenworth and Eguy Rosario contributed crucial hits, each driving in two runs during the offensive surge.
Late Game Standoff
Arizona managed to scrape together two more runs in the ninth inning, but it was too little, too late. The Diamondbacks’ offense was highlighted by contributions from Geraldo Perdomo and Jake McCarthy, each managing to get on base multiple times.
On the mound for San Diego, JP Sears delivered a solid performance, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing only 2 earned runs, and striking out four batters. The bullpen maintained the lead with Brian Rodriguez and Daniel Morgan providing scoreless innings.
Offensively for the Padres, standout performances came from Jackson Merrill, who drove in three runs and hit two doubles. Xander Bogaerts also played a significant part, adding a double and two RBIs to his name.
Defensively, San Diego kept a clean sheet with no errors, while Arizona’s fielding issues were evident with one error recorded. The Padres mirrored the Diamondbacks in total hits with 11, showcasing the efficiency of their scoring opportunities.
In terms of pitching, Arizona’s bullpen had its moments, particularly when Justin Curtiss struck out two in a scoreless inning. However, inconsistency plagued the visitors as the relief staff allowed additional runs, cementing the Padres’ comprehensive win.
The Padres’ victory reinforces their strong home record, which stands at 51-29 for the season. The resilience displayed at PETCO Park has been instrumental in their quest for postseason contention.
Conversely, the Diamondbacks’ struggles on the road were evident, as they fall to a road record of 37-43. With only one game left in the season, their potential for a .500 record dwindles.
This game marked another step for the Padres as they eye postseason opportunities, with their impressive 31-20 division record providing confidence. As both teams prepare for their final encounters, the Padres remain optimistic about their standing in the league.
