Tatis, Padres rally past Houston 11-8 in extra innings
(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
The San Diego Padres improved their league-leading record to 34-19 on Saturday after outlasting the Houston Astros in extra innings 11-8.
The Padres set a franchise record with their fourth straight extra-inning affair. Three of the four ended in wins for San Diego.
The Padres’ offense had been shut down for most of the game Saturday against the Astros, trailing 6-1 after seven innings. Yu Darvish was not his normal self for the Padres, allowing five runs to a potent Houston lineup, making the offensive struggles more of a story.
Houston starter Jake Odorizzi, making his first start in over a month due to an arm injury, silenced the San Diego bats in 5.1 innings of one-run ball. Odorizzi struck out only four Padres on the day but remained effective by avoiding hard contact and mixing his pitches.
Once Odorizzi was replaced by the Houston bullpen, the offense for San Diego came to life in a big way. The five-run lead for Houston was quickly cut in half in the top of the eighth after RBI singles from Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers.
After holding the Astros scoreless in the bottom half of the eighth, the Padres’ offense looked to continue to chip away at their 6-3 deficit.
The first two batters for San Diego failed to get on base, putting Houston in the driver’s seat with just one out away from a win. The Padres had different ideas, however, and continued to battle.
After a Manny Machado walk and a Jake Cronenworth double, Fernando Tatis Jr. came to the plate representing the tying run. Though first base was open, the Astros decided to pitch to Tatis and leave the go-ahead run on deck.
After a misplay by Astros’ first baseman Taylor Jones on a foul ball failed to end the game for Houston, the Padres’ again had a chance to claw their way back. The following pitch was a 95 MPH fastball by Astros reliever Ryan Pressley that Tatis jumped all over, homering to deep left field to tie the game dramatically.
TATIS ON THE TRAIN TRACKS ☄️ @BRWalkoff
(via @Padres)pic.twitter.com/xbsTs4AYIa
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 30, 2021
Tingler, who had been ejected earlier in the game, watched from the clubhouse as Tatis tied the game. “You talk to the coaches with combined over 100 years experience. They haven’t seen a ball struck like that,” said Tingler when asked about his thoughts on the homer.
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The home run was the 15th of the season for Tatis Jr., who continues his recent tear.
In extra innings for the second night in a row, the Padres and Astros traded runs in the 10th and 11th innings, putting the score at 8-8 after 11 grueling innings. In the top of the 12th, Wil Myers provided the knockout blow for the Padres with a three-run home run to right field that would put the Padres ahead for good 11-8.
Kevin is a San Diego Native covering the San Diego Padres and their affiliates