Jake Cronenworth’s grand slam lifts Padres to 6-2 victory over Reds

SAN DIEGO – Jake Cronenworth hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the seventh inning and Jurickson Profar had four hits for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-2 on Wednesday to win two of three in the series.

Cronenworth hit his third career grand slam and second for the Padres this season. This happened after Tyler Wade opened the inning with a bunt single over the head of reliever Fernando Cruz (1-2), followed by a single by Profar and a walk by Fernando Tatis Jr. Cronenworth hit right on the first pitch he saw from Cruz .

Profar, re-signed in the offseason to a one-year, $1 million contract, extended his hitting streak to eight games. He had a two-run single in the fourth.

Until Cronenworth’s slam, the game’s biggest moment was when Reds center fielder Stuart Fairchild made a sensational catch to rob Manny Machado of a three-run homer.

After Spencer Steer struck out Joe Musgrove with two outs in the first, it looked like the Padres were going to advance on Machado’s drive to right center by Graham Ashcraft. But Fairchild tracked the ball, jumped to catch it and crashed it into the low fence, his cap flying. He regained his balance and threw the ball to hold runners on second and first. Ashcraft turned and raised his right index finger toward Fairchild as a few Padres looked on in disbelief from the dugout.

The catch was reminiscent of the one San Diego native Adam Jones made to steal a home run from Machado in the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Petco Park. A teammate of the Baltimore Orioles at the time, Jones played for the United States and Machado for the Dominican Republic.

Cronenworth’s slam gave victory to Enyel De Los Santos (1-1).

Steer’s home run was his fourth. Musgrove allowed 10 home runs, tied with teammate Michael King for most in the major leagues. The suburban El Cajon native gave up a career-high four home runs in his previous start, a 9-3 loss to Philadelphia on Friday night.

San Diego took the lead on Profar’s two runs to left field with two outs in the third. The runs were not clinched because of an error by first baseman Jeimer Candelario, who knocked down second baseman Jonathan India’s throw on Jackson Merrill’s grounder.

The Reds needed just two batters to tie the game at 2. Santiago Espinal doubled to left in the top of the fifth and scored on Candelario’s single to right.

Both starters went six innings. Musgrove allowed two runs and four hits, while striking out nine and walking none. Ashcraft allowed two unearned runs and five hits, with four strikeouts and two walks.

NEXT

Reds: RHP Hunter Greene (1-2, 3.63 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night in the opener of a three-game home series against Baltimore.

Padres: RHP Dylan Cease (3-2, 2.78) is scheduled to start Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Arizona. The Diamondbacks will go with RHP Zac Gallen (3-2, 3.38).

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