Diamondbacks show grit in victory over the Padres

Despite the early scoring, the Diamondbacks did not sustain this offensive pressure against Randy Vasquez. They managed just two hits until the right-hander exited the game with two outs in the seventh.

Slade Cecconi made the early runs stand, despite pitching around traffic on the bases. The Padres got a runner in scoring position in all five innings Cecconi appeared in, but he never gave in. He stranded seven runners through the first four innings, showing his ability to make pitches in tough situations. He also picked off Fernando Tatis Jr. at second on an impressive inside move and throw in the third.

However, the tide turned in the the fifth. Higashioka homered to left to get the Padres on the board, then back-to-back singles put the tying runs on base with no outs. A sacrifice bunt by the red-hot Jurickson Profar moved them into scoring position and spelled the end of Cecconi’s night. With three left-handed hitters due up, manager Torey Lovullo summoned Joe Mantiply out of the bullpen. Mantiply gave up a fly ball to shallow left that Lourdes Gurriel Jr. came up just a bit short on and his throw back to the infield hit Fernando Tatis Jr. at third to score the tying runs. Mantiply was able to finish the inning with the tie intact.

“He was really good early and then he hits that little stage in the game where it starts to move a little quick for him,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. “We’re trying to help him slow it down, give up one run instead of a couple runs. I know it looks worse because he wasn’t on the field to give up those runs. He makes pitches early and needs to continue to be consistent throughout the entire outing. So pitch maybe 60 to 80, I want to see that get a little better.”

With two outs in the seventh Padres manager Mike Shildt turned to Jeremiah Estrada, one of baseball’s best relievers with a 0.48 ERA. Despite the tough opponent, the Diamondbacks stars went to work against Estrada. Carroll ripped a line drive off the right field pole for a double, missing a go-ahead home run by a few feet. Ketel Marte followed up with a single to left to give the Diamondbacks a lead.

“A huge base hit that helped us win this game,” said Lovullo. “That pitcher is on a great roll. He’s very difficult with a couple different pitches and shapes, and we’ve never seen him. The way that the guys responded to going out and battling was pretty impressive.”

The bullpen was able to keep the Padres scoreless the rest of the way. Mantiply, Kevin Ginkel, and Ryan Thompson combined for three scoreless innings despite some close calls. Thompson got a bit out to close out the eighth, retiring Manny Machado on a ground ball to the mound with the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. Paul Sewald closed out the ninth with a pair of flyouts and a generous Strike 3 call on the game’s final pitch to record his sixth save.

The Diamondbacks (30-33) and Padres (32-34) return to Petco Park for the second game of this four-game series. Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (2-4, 4.32 ERA) takes the mound for Arizona, while Michael King (4-4, 3.82 ERA) toes the rubber for San Diego. First pitch at Petco Park will be 6:40 P.M. at Petco Park.