*Photo from the Spokesman Review*
This game was almost blown by the D-Backs. Carson Kelly had two RBI, the bullpen held together, and the Arizona Diamondbacks outlasted the San Diego Padres for a 7-6 win. In the 9th inning, with Arizona at risk of blowing a 7-1 lead, Starling Marte threw the ball to second baseman Ketel Marte, who threw a perfect relay to the plate, throwing out the tying run to end the game.
The Padres got the scoring started in the first inning, when Fernando Tatis Jr hit a solo homer to left field, making it 1-0 Padres. It stayed that way until the 4th, when Kelly tied the game on an RBI single. In the 6th, Nick Ahmed hit a two run double, Kelly scored on a ground out, and Ketel Marte hit an RBI single, making it 5-1 Arizona. In the 7th, Kelly hit an RBI single, and Ahmed hit an RBI single to make it 7-1 Arizona. In the 8th, Eric Hosmer hit a two run homer for the Padres to make it 7-3. In the 9th, Tatis Jr hit a two run double, and Greg Garcia hit an RBI single to make it 7-6, but the D-Backs held on from there.
Stefan Chrichton got the win for Arizona, throwing two scoreless innings. He didn't allow a single baserunner and struck out two hitters. Alex Young got his first start of the season, throwing 4 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on 4 hits and one walk, striking out 5 hitters. Archie Bradley threw the 9th inning. Kevin Ginkel and Taylor Widener also pitched for Arizona.
Manager Torey Lovullo said of Starling and Ketel Marte's throws to end the game that ''Those are the beautiful plays of baseball, the highs and lows, the heart-stopping moments turn into celebrations instantly. We're all adrenaline junkies, no doubt about it. There was collective roar in the dugout, a couple fist pumps. We won the game.''
Kelly also made an exceptional play on defense for Arizona, leaning over the railing into the camera well to make a catch and end the 8th inning. When asked about that, along with the Marte's throw at the end of the game, Kelly said that ''We make those plays, we make the routine plays and then when there's a foul ball in the stands, you can get there and reach it, it helps in the long run for sure.''
Pierce Johnson took the loss for the Padres, getting just one out in his relief appearance. Johnson gave up 4 runs on 3 hits and one walk. Cal Quantrill made his first start of the season for the Padres, working 3 2/3 innings. Quantrill gave up one run on 5 hits and one walk, striking out 5 hitters. Matt Strahm, David Bednar, and Craig Stammen also pitched for the Padres.
Padres manager Jayce Tingler said postgame of coming up just short that ''I'm really happy to see the guys continue to fight, make it down to an inch or two there at the very end, it took a really good relay throw to do it. Mateo was busting up from the get-go, got around there quick. I thought it was a good roll of the dice.''
The series continues on Sunday, where the Padres hope to rebound by sending Garrett Richards to the mound. Lefty Robbie Ray will look to rebound himself as he takes the mound for the D-Backs.
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