Diamondbacks fight back, but Padres win last thanks to Machado’s walk-off home run
The power was with them, the power left them, and then the power returned.
The Padres won 10-8 on Friday on a walk-off home run by Manny Machado, but only after the Diamondbacks scored six runs on a lightsaber hit to closer Robert Suarez in the ninth inning to turn a 7-2 lead into an 8-7 deficit.
Half of the runs came from Suarez, who was brought in to restore order after Enyel De Los Santos allowed Arizona to load the bases with one out. But on his first pitch to Alek Thomas, the center fielder hit the ball out of the park and hit a grand slam, making the score 7-6.
Things didn’t get any better for Suarez, even though he took Geraldo Perdomo out of the game before Corbin Carroll hit a double and brought in pinch hitter Randal Grichuk. He had to watch another Diamondback take him down deep in the inning — at the top of the Western Metal Supply Building, giving Arizona its first lead of the game since the fourth inning.
After another single, manager Mike Shildt had enough and substituted Suarez for Stephen Kolek, who struck out Christian Walker, ending the painful stretch.
But it could not end like that for the home team, not against the backdrop of war of stars Weekend at Petco Park?
All-Star Jurickson Profar, clearly looking to give his team new hope, agreed and struck immediately to open the Friars’ half of the ninth. With the score at 3-2, his solo shot to center tied the score at 8-8.
Jake Cronenworth, who was next in line, managed a walk, and Machado marched forward, who was already having a good night with three hits, including a double, and two runs.
With the score 0-2, he added a home run and two RBIs to his tally, sparking an explosive celebration before he even reached first base as he finished off the Diamondbacks, who failed to get an out after their big comeback in the ninth inning.
“The fighting spirit is always there,” Machado told the Padres commentary team after the game. “We showed that tonight.”
Even Suarez was there, who had told Shildt he was available despite pitching on two consecutive days. His manager didn’t want to reach out to him, but when De Los Santos got into trouble, he felt he had to.
“The ball came out good though, 98, 99 (mph), you know, they just exploded, ambushed him early,” he said.
So if the Force stays with the Padres on Saturday, a longer outing may be in store when Matt Waldron takes the mound.
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