The Padres came away with one of their most dramatic victories of the season, defeating the Mets 7-6 on Monday night. Dylan Cease had a scary moment in the 3rd inning when he was hit in the head by a chopper back up the middle, but stayed in the game afterwards. With the score tied at 1 in the 5th inning, the Mets had runners at 2nd and 3rd with two outs, and the Padres opted to intentionally walk Jeff McNeil to load the bases for Mark Vientos. Earlier in the game, Vientos hit what appeared to be a home run to right field, but Fernando Tatis Jr. reached over the fence and brought it back. Vientos would hit the ball this time in almost the exact same spot, but a few rows deeper for a go-ahead grand slam to give the Mets a 5-1 lead.
In the bottom of the 5th, Luis Arraez blasted a 2-run homer off the right field foul pole to draw the Padres to within two runs. Jake Cronenworth knocked in a run from third base on a grounder to Pete Alonso that he was able to beat out because the pitcher was late to covering the base. Bryce Johnson and Elias Diaz each singled after Cronenworth to tie the game and then take the lead.
Robert Suarez entered the game in the 9th inning to preserve the Padres' one-run lead, but surrendered a game-tying home run to Ronny Mauricio, putting a brief damper on the Padres' comeback. The Grit Squad didn't give up though, as Xander Bogaerts led off the bottom of the 9th with a line drive single to right center. Jose Iglesias laid down a bunt in an attempt to advance Bogaerts, and Mets pitcher Gregory Soto made an errant throw to second base, allowing Bogaerts to slide off safely when Lindor came off the base. Cronenworth then attempted to bunt both runners into scoring position, but Soto fielded the ball and got Bogaerts out at third base. After Brice Johnson struck out for the second out of the inning, Elias Diaz singled over Lindor's head to bring home the game-winning run. All in all, the Padres came from behind to erase a four-run deficit and overcome a blown save in the 9th inning to earn a win in the opening game of this series against the Mets.
You can watch the Jamul Casino Resort Padres Postgame Show below, with full highlights from the game and Mike Shildt's postgame press conference.
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