Down a run and down to their final out, the San Diego Padres rallied Friday night for a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds and their closer Raisel Iglesias. Josh Naylor hit a two-run double to put San Diego ahead 3-2, and Francisco Mejia followed with a two-run homer as the Padres won their third straight and for the 14th-time in their last 16 games.
The quick outburst denied Anthony DeSclafani a victory on the mound in what had been a powerhouse pitching duel between the Reds’ starter and Padres’ right-hander Dinelson Lamet. DeSclafani allowed an RBI ground out to Eric Hosmer in the first inning, then was razor sharp, striking out 14, walking none and not allowing a base-runner after the third inning. He retired the final 17 batters he faced.
Lamet was nearly as good, despite giving up a solo home run to Cincinnati’s Joey Votto in the fourth. He finished with seven innings pitched, three hits allowed and 12 strikeouts. In the bottom of the eighth, the Reds took a 2-1 lead on Nick Castellanos’ pinch-hit home run off Matt Strahm.
In the ninth, Trent Grisham walked and Fernando Tatis Jr. singled with one out off Iglesias. Hosmer struck out, but both Naylor and Mejia came through to give the victory to reliever Trey Wingenter (1-0). Kirby Yates finished up for his 14th save.
