ICYMI: Solarte’s Clutch Homerun Lifts Padres In 6-5 Win
San Diego Padres 6, Texas Rangers 5
Yangervis Solarte made sure the Padres’ losing streak ended at six. With just two games left before the All-Star break and the Padres reeling, Solarte put, at least temporarily, a smile on fans and players faces for the night.
After the Padres starte the ninth inning down two, it looked dim after Andrew Cashner was throw out heading to third on a Melvin Upton Jr. RBI single. Cashner was actually pinch running for Pinch-hitter Brett Wallace, who singled with one out in the ninth.
Luckily for Cashner, Solarte came through big time on a 1-1 inside fastball. Solarte turned on the inside pitch and deposited it into the first row in right. Solarte rounded the bases with a huge smile on his face.
Mitch Moreland homered twice off James Shields, improving his total on the season to 16. Both were solo home runs, his first was in the second and the second was in the sixth inning, knocking Shields out of the game.
Matt Kemp hit a two run homer in the third, his eighth, that gave the Padres a 2-1 lead. The Rangers struck back in the bottom half of the inning capped off by a Prince Fielder RBI single to left to take a 3-2 lead.
Shields went 5.1 innings giving up four earned on five hits while tying a season high with four walks.
After back-to-back two out walks to Solarte and Kemp, Justin Upton Jr. singled to tie the game at three.
Joaquin Benoit pitched the eighth inning but gave up an insurance run by a Elvis Endrus double. Despite that fact he did pick up the win thanks to Solarte, he is now 6-4 on the season.
Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for his 22nd save. The Padres six game losing streak was the longest of the season before ending it Saturday.
On Deck:
The Padres look to take the series in the finale Sunday, while also trying to head into the All-Star break with a two game winning streak.
Tyson Ross (5-7, 3.56 ERA) will take the mound for the Padres. He has the longest active homerless streak in the majors at 80 innings.
Yovani Gallardo (7-7, 2.67 ERA) is coming off a loss in his last start against Arizona but had been lights out in his previous four starts.
Nick was born and raised in San Diego where he became a Chargers and Padres fan, attending numerous home games throughout the years with his dad. He then went on to attend college at the University of Arizona. There he earned his degree in marketing and now lives in San Francisco where he dreams of the the sunny beaches of San Diego. Bear Down.