Tatis Jr., Grisham power Padres to 6-2 win vs. Diamondbacks
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. raced around the bases on a three-run triple that highlighted a five-run rally and Trent Grisham hit his first home run for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 Monday to take three of four games in their opening series.
The Padres, who feel they’re built for success in this pandemic-shortened 60-game season, outscored the Diamondbacks 21-9 in the four games.
San Diego hasn’t been to the playoffs since winning consecutive NL West titles in 2005-06. It hasn’t had a winning season since 2010.
The Padres scored five runs in the fourth inning before Luke Weaver (0-1) recorded an out.
The highlight was Tatis hitting a ball to left-center that rolled to the wall, bringing in three runs to give San Diego a 6-2 lead. Tatis dove into third headfirst and his helmet went flying.
Tatis finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting last year despite being limited to 84 games due to injuries. He didn’t play after mid-August due to a stress reaction in his lower back. He has vowed not to change his hard-charging style.
After Tatis’ triple, Weaver struck out Grisham and made way for Taylor Clarke.
Greg Garcia bunted for an RBI single and rookie Edward Olivares singled home a run earlier in the inning.
The Diamondbacks had taken a 2-1 lead off left-hander Joey Lucchesi with two outs in the third. Starling Marté doubled to medium right, just out of the reach of a diving Grisham, to bring in Nick Ahmed, who was aboard on a leadoff single. Eduardo Escobar singled in Marté.
Grisham pulled a 3-1 pitch from Weaver an estimated 411 feet down the right-field line with one out in the first inning. It was his first homer with the Padres, who acquired him in an offseason trade with Milwaukee.
Cal Quantrill (1-0) allowed one hit in 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.
Weaver was charged with six runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: RHP Merrill Kelly is scheduled to start the opener of a two-game series at Texas on Tuesday night. He is 2-3 with a 5.74 ERA in five starts against AL opponents.
Padres: Haven’t announced a starter for Tuesday night’s game at San Francisco, but it could be RHP Zach Davies, who came over with Grisham in the deal with Milwaukee. RHP Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to go for the Giants.
