Voit slugs Padres to 4-3 comeback win over Pirates
May 27, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres designated hitter Luke Voit (45) chugs water in celebration in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Padres were trailing 3-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates halfway through the game on Friday evening.
Then, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Luke Voit suddenly became the hero with one swing of the bat. The Padres slugger smashed a 385-foot home run to left field, driving in both Jurickson Profar and Eric Hosmer to tie the game and breathe new life into Petco Park.
Luke Voit. Tie Game. #TimeToShine pic.twitter.com/Ngic87BQDF
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 28, 2022
Of course, the Padres’ effort was paced by another strong outing by Sean Manaea. The former Oakland Athletics starter threw seven innings, giving up three runs and four hits while striking out five batters. Unfortunately, Manaea walked away with a no-decision but left the Padres in good hands after the Voit home run.
On the other side, veteran southpaw Jose Quintana dazzled for the Pirates, tossing 5.1 innings while giving up two unearned runs on four hits. The Pirates jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning courtesy of a Bryan Reynolds home run, and Padres fans were once hoping that Reynolds would be sporting a San Diego uniform.
After Voit’s home run, the score remained 3-3 until the bottom of the eighth inning. The gritty, come-from-behind Padres group did it once again.
Manny Machado drew a walk, and Eric Hosmer followed it up with a single. Then came Wil Myers, who has been due for a clutch at-bat.
Myers put together a broken-bat single that brought Machado home and gave the Padres the lead for good.
"Broken bat? No problem." – Wil Myers, probably #TimeToShine pic.twitter.com/gdZcUIwxWb
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 28, 2022
Petco Park was electric, and after dropping two of three to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Padres got a much-needed bounce-back victory as they continue to chase the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The unlikely trio of Myers, Hosmer, and Voit combined to go 4-of-11 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs scored.
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As usual, Taylor Rogers came in and recorded the effortless save on just 11 pitches.
The Padres and Pirates will face off in Game 2 of the series on Saturday night, with the first pitch at 7:10 PT. JT Brubaker will be on the mound for Pittsburgh, and hometown hero Joe Musgrove will look to continue his impressive start to the season.
Matthew Wadleigh, born in Oceanside and currently lives in Fresno. He lives with his wife and 2 dogs and is a sports enthusiast. Retired drummer and member of the Fresno State Marching Band. He has been a Padres fan since childhood and has suffered during the struggles just like everybody else.
Why anyone would throw Voit or Alfaro a strike to hit is beyond me. They both swing at just about anything the pitchers throw. He was a hero tonight. How long can we go with both of them hitting less than .200?