Arizona
D-backs storm ahead with 3-run 10th, fend off Padres response
The Arizona Diamondbacks picked up a 7-5 win in San Diego after the Padres’ defense fell flat in the 10th inning and the D-backs’ bullpen stepped up with its back against the wall.
Geraldo Perdomo’s successful lead-off bunt opened up a window for the D-backs, especially after Randal Grichuk — Friday night’s near-hero pinch hitting for Joc Pederson on Saturday — worked a walk to load the bases.
Christian Walker cashed in with a groundball that found the hole in the defense, bringing home two runs.
C-WALK COMES THROUGH! pic.twitter.com/foQnoCb1XL
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 7, 2024
Jake McCarthy later grounded into a fielder’s choice that saw Grichuk come home, giving a three-run lead to Thyago Vieira, who got the ball to start the bottom of the 10th.
D-backs’ bullpen fights through adversity
Vieira walked his first batter, Manny Machado, to bring the tying run to the plate for San Diego. Donovan Solano then knocked a ball just past Corbin Carroll in right field for a double, bringing home one run and leaving two more runners in scoring position with no outs.
He walked the go-ahead run onto first base shortly after as he was unable to find the strike zone.
Vieira recorded his first out on his 22nd pitch, a strikeout, coming off the mound in favor of Humberto Castellanos immediately after.
Castellanos — making just his third D-backs appearance — struck out Ha-Seong Kim, who earlier tied the game in the eighth for San Diego with an RBI double. Then it was a flyout from Kyle Higashioka to end the game.
Paul Sewald had an off day after two straight blown saves, his first two of the year.