September 29 – Kyle Higashioka broke a scoreless game with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, followed by a single by Brandon Lockridge, and the San Diego Padres, who were mostly reserves, scored three runs in Game 1. Defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Donovan Solano went 4 for 5 and hit a two-run homer with two outs in a brilliant five-run ninth inning, allowing San Diego (93-68) to win the game with only three regular starters.
AJ Pook (4-9) took the loss for Arizona, pitching in the ninth inning and giving up three hits and two runs in reliever ball for the first time in his career.
Meanwhile, Arizona (88-73) managed just two hits and the Diamondbacks were desperate to secure a wild-card berth in the National League.
The defensive back group lost for the fifth time in six games and was eliminated from the three-team battle for the final two NFC wild-card spots ahead of Sunday’s regular-season finale at Arizona.
Former D backstop David Peralta started the ninth inning with a single, then Higashioka hit a slider into the left field seats, giving Lockridge his first major league home run since the league pitched.
Solano came in for star first baseman Luis Arraez and had a big game against Scott McGough. San Diego owed the win to Wandy Peralta (3-2).
Arizona starter Eduardo Rodriguez gave up four singles in 4 2/3 scoreless innings, three of them to Solano. The left-hander struck out three and walked two before right-hander Kevin Ginkel allowed two runs and homered for Manny Machado in the fifth inning.
Kinkel, Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Justin Martinez combined to pitch 3 2/3 scoreless innings in the ninth as D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turned to the Reds’ bullpen in search of a win, and they earned it. But the Arizona offense failed.
Corbin Carroll got the Diamondbacks’ first hit in the sixth inning and Christian Walker singled in the ninth with Arizona trailing by five.
The Padres recalled 25-year-old right-hander Randy Vasquez (4-7) from Triple-A El Paso to start Saturday’s game.
Playing in MLB for the first time since August 31 and facing Arizona for the third time this season, Vázquez allowed just one hit in six innings but struck out two batters and walked one.
Carroll hit a double to right field off Vasquez to start the sixth inning. Joc Pederson caught the catcher’s interference signal against Higashioka and gave up two runs with one out.
Carol Christian reached third on Walker’s strikeout and Pederson advanced to second, but Vasquez struck out Lure Jr. on a sweeper to end the inning.
Geraldo Perdomo’s walk against Wandy Peralta in the eighth inning put the D’s leadoff hitter on the board again, but Arizona was unable to score again. With one out, Ketel Marte ended the inning with a grounder and pinch-hitter Randall Grichuk doubled to third.
San Diego’s Xander Bogaerts was 2-for-4 and Jurickson Profar was 1-for-4. Machado was 0 for 5 from the field.
——Visual-level media
