Padres Edge Astros in Close Contest

Written by MAi' Ghen Storm, SFL Writer | Photo credit: Kane McKinney, SFL Photographer

The San Diego Padres avoided a series sweep, narrowly defeating the Houston Astros 3-2 on Saturday, April 20th, at Daikin Park. The game was marked by an early injury scare for the Padres and a late home run heroics.   

The game began with a concerning moment for San Diego as their first baseman, Luis Arraez, was carted off the field in the first inning after a collision at first base with Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubón. Initial reports after the game indicated that Arraez was in stable condition at a local hospital and later returned to the team, even seen speaking with Dubón. However, he did not speak to reporters.   

Despite the unsettling start, the Padres managed to get on the board in the top of the first inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. scored on a fielder's choice by Xander Bogaerts. They added another run in the third when Tatis Jr. tripled and was brought home by a single from Gavin Sheets, making it 2-0 for the Padres.   

The Astros responded in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jake Meyers singled, scoring Martín Maldonado, and then scored himself on a sacrifice fly by Yordan Alvarez, tying the game 2-2.

The score remained deadlocked until the top of the seventh when Fernando Tatis Jr. once again came through for the Padres, hitting a solo home run to give San Diego a 3-2 lead.   

Astros starter Framber Valdez pitched six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out two. Padres starter Dylan Cease also went six innings, giving up two runs on six hits and striking out seven.

The Padres bullpen held strong in the final two innings, with closer Robert Suarez shutting down the Astros in the ninth to secure the victory.   

Key moments in the game included:

• Early Injury: The collision between Luis Arraez and Mauricio Dubón in the first inning that resulted in Arraez being carted off.
• Tatis Jr.'s Impact: Fernando Tatis Jr. was the offensive star for the Padres, scoring two runs and hitting the go-ahead home run in the seventh. He also had a triple earlier in the game.   
• Meyers' Catch: Astros center fielder Jake Meyers made an impressive catch at the wall in the eighth inning to prevent a potential Padres hit.
• Suarez's Save: Padres closer Robert Suarez pitched a clean ninth inning to earn the save and secure the win for San Diego.   

With this win, the San Diego Padres improved their record to 16-6, while the Houston Astros fell to 10-11.