San Diego Padres star right-fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. struggled at the plate with four strikeouts in his first four appearances against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Saturday. In the top of the ninth, with two outs, he finally put a ball in play off Boston closer Aroldis Chapman. Tatis Jr. hit a line drive to center that got over the head and beyond the outstretched arm of Ceddanne Rafaela. By the time he tracked down the ball and got it back to the infield, Tatis Jr. was standing on second
base.
Ramon Laureano, who has been the most consistent hitter for San Diego through the first two series of the season, delivered a line drive into left-center field that was fielded by Roman Anthony. The Red Sox left fielder threw to the plate, but Tatis Jr. slid in ahead of the tag and gave the Padres a 3-2 lead. The inning ended one batter later and that set the stage for San Diego closer Mason Miller.
The right-hander came into the game for just the third time this season, having converted the first two saves, and set down the Boston hitters in order with three strikeouts to seal the 3-2 win for San Diego.
Padres manager Craig Stammen cannot ask for anything more from his No. 3 starter Randy Vasquez. The right-hander entered the game against the Red Sox looking to build on a strong start in his first outing of the season against the Detroit Tigers. Vasquez allowed one run on six hits over six innings with one walk and three strikeouts.
The only issue for Vasquez and the Padres was, once again, the lineup failed to provide run support despite the stellar start from the right-hander. San Diego managed seven hits in the game with Miguel Andujar accounting for three of those. Freddy Fermin and Ty France each added a hit and the final two hits came in the ninth inning from Tatis Jr. and Laureano off Chapman, which led to the win.
The Padres will go for the series win over the Red Sox on Sunday at 10:35 a.m.
