PHOENIX – In a thrilling comeback, the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied in the ninth inning to defeat the San Diego Padres 8-7 after Geraldo Perdomo hit a bases-clearing triple to even the score and Josh Naylor drove in the winning run with an infield single.
The Padres seemed on the verge of victory with a 7-3 lead entering the final inning. However, Arizona’s Pavin Smith, Gabriel Moreno, and Alek Thomas all singled off Padres closer Robert Suárez, who was pitching despite not being in a save situation.
Ketel Marte hustled to beat out an infield single, scoring a run and setting up Perdomo’s clutch hit into the right field. This triple brought home three runs and tied the score. Following this play, Adrian Morejon took the mound, and Naylor capitalized immediately, grounding a pitch to first where Perdomo was able to beat the throw home, securing a dramatic win for the Diamondbacks.
Previously, San Diego had claimed a 5-3 advantage in the seventh inning due to Fernando Tatis Jr.’s single with the bases loaded and a two-run double by Manny Machado against reliever Ryan Thompson, who had come in for starting pitcher Zac Gallen.
Eugenio Suárez’s three-run home run in the fifth inning, which was his 20th, put the Diamondbacks ahead 3-1 initially. This homer tied Suárez with teammate Corbin Carroll for the team’s lead in home runs.
Zac Gallen ended his outing with four runs allowed over 6 1/3 innings, issuing four walks and recording five strikeouts. Opposing him, Ryan Bergert, making his third major league start, pitched five innings, giving up three hits and three runs while striking out eight.
San Diego’s Gavin Sheets was impressive with a 3-for-3 performance that included his 12th home run this season. During the game, Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill had to exit after attempting to steal a base in the seventh. He was tagged on the helmet by Marte during his slide and later walked off the field under his own power, with Brandon Lockridge substituting him in center field.
A pivotal moment came when Marte was initially called out. However, a successful challenge by the Diamondbacks revealed he was safe, helping set the stage for the ninth-inning heroics.
With this win, the Diamondbacks improve their record to 36-35, marking the first time they have been above .500 since May 23.
Looking ahead, the series concludes with San Diego’s Nick Pivetta (6-2, 3.18 ERA) going up against Arizona’s Merrill Kelly (6-2, 3.68 ERA) on Sunday.