Tatis' tiebreaking slam in 7th sends Padres past Mets 7-3

NEW YORK (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the seventh inning and Manny Machado followed with a home run as San Diego's high-priced superstars powered the Padres past the New York Mets 7-3 on Sunday to stop a four-game slide.

Chris Paddack (3-5) struck out nine over six strong innings and Tommy Pham launched a leadoff homer to help San Diego prevent a weekend sweep despite grounding into four double plays.

Shut down by New York's stingy pitching staff in the first two games of the series and struggling mightily with runners in scoring position lately, the Padres finally broke through against the Mets' bullpen.

San Diego drew three walks in the seventh from a tiring Jeurys Familia (2-1), who had pinch-hitter Jurickson Profar down 1-2 before losing him on a free pass that loaded the bases with two outs. Familia then walked Pham on four straight balls, forcing in the tying run, and was pulled after throwing 41 pitches over 1 2/3 innings.

Jacob Barnes wanted a borderline 1-1 pitch to Tatis but didn't get it, and the $341 million slugger sent the next one way out to left field for his third career slam and second this season.

It was the 19th homer of the year in 49 games for the 22-year-old Tatis, who also went deep in a 4-1 loss Saturday. He began the day tied with Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. for the National League lead.

Tatis matched Harmon Killebrew in 1959 and Cody Bellinger in 2017 for the most home runs in the first 49 games by a player 22 or younger.

Machado, the Padres' $300 million third baseman, connected for his ninth of the season to make it 7-2.

Paddack gave up six hits and walked none in his first win since May 21. José Peraza put the Mets ahead 2-1 with a two-run homer in the fifth.

New York starter Joey Lucchesi allowed one...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Tatis-tiebreaking-slam-in-7th-sends-Padres-past-16245056.php