The San Diego Padres rode a superb start from Casey Mize along with some home run power to a 5-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the rubber game of the series.
The Padres had to wait out a three-hour rain delay to get started, but they scored first by playing some long ball in the second inning. Luis Rengifo got the first solo homer of the inning off Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee, and Gavin Sheets did the same to give San Diego a 2-0 lead.
San Diego added a run in the frouth as Jackson Merrill walked, then advanced to second on a groundout by Rengifo, with Xander Bogaerts bringing him home with a base hit to make it 3-0.
That was more than enough for Padres starter Casey Mize through six, however, as Mize had his best start yet as a Padre. He scattered three hits and a walk to go with three strikeouts, and Jeremiah Estrada came in to pitch a scoreless seventh and hold the line. Bibee also wound up with a solid line, as he gave up three runs on seven hits and three walks to go with a trio of strikeouts.
The Padres padded their lead in the eighth as Jace Bowen hit an opposite-field solo homer off reliever Tim Herrin to make it 4-0. Bowen also made a couple of fine catches in left after entering the game earlier as a defensive replacement for Sheets.
The eighth inning belonged to Adrian Morejon, who continued his stellar season with a scoreless frame. Jake Cronenworth added another run via a solo homer in the ninth to make it 5-0.
The extra run allowed manager Craig Stammen to further rest the primary relievers, as Yuki Matsui was able to finish up with a scoreless ninth and lock down the series win for San Diego.
It's time for some serious scoreboard watching and the Padres are now tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the second and third wild-card spots. The Padres did pick up a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, though, as the three teams continue their neck-and-neck battle for a playoff berth.
The Padres now head to east for a three-gamer against the New York Mets, who have been playing better of late. They’ll face a stiff challenge tomorrow night against rookie right-hander Nolan McLean, with the Padres sending Walker Buehler to the hill in the opening game.