This felt like a game that the San Diego Padres typically have no business winning. That said, in the last week, this team has pulled off some miraculous comebacks. They did so again tonight, rallying back from a 5-1 deficit to lead by a run going into the ninth inning. Closer Mason Miller was tasked with recording five outs, and did, but not without surrendering the game-tying home run.
That set the stage for some fireworks in the 10th, with David Morgan striking out the first two batters before inducing a lineout to end the inning. With Jake Cronenworth taking third base on a wild pitch, San Diego’s top prospect, Ethan Salas, came up to the dish with one goal: put the ball in play. He did more than that, lining an 0-2 four-seamer into center field for a walk-off.
In doing so, Salas (20 years, 110 days) became the youngest player to walk off a game since Manny Machado did so in 2012 (20 years, 69 days). The Padres’ magic number falls to three after the Arizona Diamondbacks walked off the New York Yankees. They’ll go for the sweep over the Miami Marlins today, with the opportunity to take the top spot in the NL Wild Card should the Chicago Cubs lose.
Taking the mound
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) v. Walker Buehler (SD)
Alcantara has been incredibly durable for Miami this season, pitching 206 innings with a 3.84 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. Both are solid marks for the right-hander, though neither is earth-shattering. Both are a far cry from Alcantara’s past self, in which he won the NL Cy Young in 2022. His strikeout numbers are way down, with 149 this season, but he’s still managed to get outs.
The problem is that Alcantara has struggled massively lately. In his last seven appearances, the righty owns a 5.86 ERA. Much of that came when he surrendered seven runs to the New York Mets in just 4 1/3 innings pitched. Most of that damage came from Alcantara surrendering three home runs to New York. If San Diego can do the same, break out the brooms.
It’s hard not to say this every single time, but Buehler has truly been one of the most valuable pitchers that San Diego has. Apart from Michael King, no pitcher has been as valuable. They say the best ability is availability and that is what Buehler has been. He’s hurled 143 1/3 innings for the Friars to a 4.58 ERA, though that number doesn’t do him justice.
Down the stretch, Buehler has looked fantastic, pitching to a 3.09 ERA in his last seven starts. Since July 21, the veteran righty hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his appearances. He’s given up two or fewer in all but two of those 11 starts. He’ll look to continue that stretch of success against Miami’s lineup this afternoon.
Batter up!
San Diego’s offense has been ridiculous lately. In nine of their last 10 games, the Padres have scored six or more runs. They’ve scored seven or more in eight of those contests. It’s no longer a small sample size. The lineup has been firing on all cylinders and will look to continue that dominance into October.
Bogaerts will likely return to the lineup after his off day on Saturday night. In 14 career at-bats versus Alcantara, the veteran short owns a ridiculous .429 batting average with a 1.072 OPS. The only one on the Padres to beat that is Machado. He’s batted .600 against the Marlins’ starter with a 1.334 OPS in 15 at-bats.
Relief corps
With the game going into the 10th, and starter Casey Mize getting through just three innings, the Friars needed six pitchers to finish out the game. Randy Vásquez covered two frames before Bradgley Rodrigeuez, Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon, Miller and Morgan covered the final five innings.
That leaves San Diego with slim pickings for the series finale. Going solely off of who’s readily available, the Padres only have Griffin Canning, Kyle Hart and Wandy Peralta available. All three are low leverage options, meaning the Friars will be somewhat reliant on Buehler to shove this afternoon.
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