Padres’ Late-Game Homers Dampen Diamondbacks’ Playoff Hopes

Kyle Higashioka, Brandon Lockridge, and Donovan Solano’s ninth-inning home runs propelled the San Diego Padres to a decisive 5-0 victory over the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday evening. As the Diamondbacks (88-73) lose grip on their National League playoff hopes, they find themselves lagging behind the Braves (88-71) and Mets (87-72), who are clutching the last two playoff berths.

“A Night of Missed Opportunities,” says Diamondbacks’ Walker

“It was one of those nights,” noted Diamondbacks’ first baseman Christian Walker candidly. “They played well. It’s frustrating, but you have to acknowledge a good performance. When you’re out, it’s because someone else is doing their job right. We had chances but failed to deliver when it counted.”

With the scoreboard still empty going into the ninth, the game’s momentum shifted dramatically. Following David Peralta’s one-out single for San Diego, Higashioka launched a two-run homer deep into left field. “I was just waiting for the right pitch, and his slider just popped,” Higashioka revealed. “Luckily, this one cleared the fence.”

Lockridge and Solano Add Insult to Injury

Lockridge then followed up with his maiden Major League homer, also a left-field hit. This was a shocking turn of events for Diamondbacks’ A.J. Puk (4-9), their most consistent reliever, who, since joining from the Miami Marlins, had only conceded one run in 27 innings across 29 appearances.

“They both connected with sliders,” a resigned Puk admitted. “They’re good hitters, and they took their chances well. Today just wasn’t my day.”

Later in the ninth, Solano added another two-run homer, his fourth successful hit of the evening, off Scott McGough to extend the lead to 5-0.

Diamondbacks Struggle to Find Rhythm

Despite boasting the highest-scoring offense in the Major Leagues this season, the Diamondbacks only managed two hits. San Diego’s right-hander Randy Vásquez, recently recalled from Triple-A El Paso, pitched a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Corbin Carroll hit a double to right field.

Vásquez Shines in First Big League Start Since August

The 25-year-old Vásquez, in his first Big League start since August 31, concluded with six scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit and one walk, and striking out four. Despite locking in the No. 4 spot in the NL playoff bracket on Friday, the Padres showed no signs of complacency in Saturday’s game.

“They’re going to compete and play to win the game, no matter who we field,” said Padres manager Mike Shildt, who also praised Vásquez’s performance as “fantastic”.

The Padres will host a best-of-three Wild Card Series starting Tuesday, bidding farewell to the regular season on Sunday against the Diamondbacks, with Martín Pérez (5-5, 4.25 ERA) starting for San Diego. The Diamondbacks’ starter remains unannounced.

Padres’ Arraez Rests, Aims for Third Batting Crown

Luis Arraez of the Padres got a day off as he aims to edge out Shohei Ohtani and Marcell Ozuna for the NL batting title. If successful, it would mark his third batting crown in three years for three different teams, a feat not achieved in the post-1900 era.

INJURY UPDATE: Padres’ Kim Out for Season

Shildt announced that infielder Ha-Seong Kim will not return this season due to a shoulder injury. Kim finishes the season with .233 average, 11 home runs, and 22 stolen bases in 122 games.