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.
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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 run and struck out six against his former team in a season-high five innings.
San Diego had dropped 10 of 13 overall.
The Mets fell to 17-6 at Citi Field and permitted more than three runs for the first time in 12 home games.
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Mets slugger Pete Alonso was hit on the bill of his helmet by a 94 mph fastball from reliever Emilio Pagán in the eighth, sending his headwear flying and prompting Pagán to put his hands on his head. Alonso, however, popped right up and appeared to be fine. He went to first base and stayed in the game.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom remains on track to make his next scheduled start Wednesday, manager Luis Rojas said. The two-time Cy Young Award winner left Friday’s outing with right flexor tendinitis, but an MRI came back clean. … 2B Jeff McNeil (strained left hamstring) was set to get two or three at-bats and play four or five innings for High-A Brooklyn in his first rehab game. … RF Michael Conforto (strained right hamstring) looked really good running the bases at about 95-100% on Saturday and could begin a rehab assignment by the end of the week, Rojas said. … OF Billy McKinney remained out of the lineup with a sore right knee but is expected to start Monday. Rojas wasn’t sure if McKinney would be available off the bench. Apparently he was not, because reliever Robert Gsellman struck out as a pinch-hitter against closer Mark Melancon to end the game. … RHP Miguel Castro’s stiff neck was much improved, according to Rojas. … RHP Dellin Betances, on the 60-day injured list since April 8 with a right shoulder impingement, was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Low-A St. Lucie. … 3B Jonathan Villar did not start because he was dealing with a family matter, Rojas said.
UP NEXT
Padres: RHP Dinelson Lamet (1-1, 3.52 ERA) pitches Monday night in Colorado as LHP Ryan Weathers moves to the bullpen. San Diego is 5-1 against the NL West rival Rockies this season, including 2-1 at Coors Field. LHP Austin Gomber (5-5, 3.95) goes for the Rockies.
Mets: Struggling LHP David Peterson (1-5, 6.32 ERA) starts Monday night against Jake Arrieta (5-6, 4.97) when the Chicago Cubs arrive for a four-game series at Citi Field.