Manny Machado blasted a fifth-inning grand slam that propelled the San Diego Padres to a 7-4 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field, Wednesday.
The San Diego third baseman delivered the blow to the Mets after the Padres loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fifth inning. Jake Cronenworth was at third base after being hit by a pitch to open the inning. Fernando Tatis Jr. was at second base after a walk and Luis Arraez singled
to set up the grand slam opportunity for Machado.
The home run broke a 2-2 tie, giving San Diego a 6-2 lead, and proved to be the difference in the game. The Mets were able to add a run in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings, but the Padres maintained a two-run lead until the top of the ninth inning.
San Diego added an additional run in the ninth on a Ramón Laureano laser to left field to make the score 7-4.
The offense showed up to support Padres starter Nick Pivetta, who lasted just 4 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits and recorded five strikeouts. Like Michael King the night before, Pivetta struggled to keep the ball in the yard. All three of the runs scored by the Mets against Pivetta came on solo home runs.
The San Diego bullpen was good overall. There was one blemish, Jeremiah Estrada lasted just 1/3 of an inning and allowed a solo home run to Francisco Alvarez, but Adrian Morejon, Mason Miller and Robert Suarez were able to keep New York from adding runs.
Miller faced Juan Soto with one out and a man on in the bottom of the seventh. Soto hit a foul ball down the left field line that was very close to tying the game with a two-run home run. A review confirmed the ball went foul and Miller wasted no time and struck out Soto with the next pitch for the second out. Miller completed the inning with a strikeout of Pete Alonso, keeping the Padres in front.
Suarez came on for his 39th save in the bottom of the ninth. He also faced Soto with runners on base, giving him a chance to tie the game with a home run. Suarez worked to a 2-2 count and induced a line drive from Soto back to the pitcher’s mound. Suarez was able to knock the ball down, recover and throw to first to get Soto for the final out of the game.
The Padres amassed 12 hits in the game and most of the lineup contributed. Machado recorded three hits, while Tatis Jr., Arraez, Laureano and Jackson Merrill each had two hits and Cronenworth added an additional hit.
San Diego completes the series with New York, Thursday at 10:10 a.m.
