SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish pitched six solid innings for his 13th victory, Jurickson Profar hit a two-run home run and the San Diego Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3 on Wednesday night in a game that featured three homers by each team.
The Padres came into the day in a virtual tie for the second NL wild-card spot with the Philadelphia Phillies, who beat Miami. San Diego opened a four-game lead in the wild-card race over fading Milwaukee, which lost to Colorado.
“It was nice to win the two games after a tough first one (in the series versus Arizona),” Melvin said. “We are seeing some balls leave the ballpark here. We have the ability to slug — that showed up tonight after being down 2-0. To be able to respond right away and come right back I think kind of shifted the momentum back into our dugout.”
Arizona’s Daulton Varsho hit two solo homers off Darvish (13-7) to give him 24 for the season.
“I wasn’t at my best, for sure, tonight. I don’t think I had the stuff tonight,” Darvish said through an interpreter. “I just tried to be a little bit aggressive in the zone.”
Darvish gave up the three Diamondbacks home runs. He lasted six innings, allowing five hits.
“He hung a couple of breaking balls for some homers but you look up and it is only five hits. He did walk three guys and that’s what ended up getting him out of the game,” Melvin said. “I think he will always tell you he always wants to go farther than six (innings). He thinks six is the minimum."
San Diego closer Josh Hader earned his 31st save — and second with the Padres — with a scoreless ninth. Robert Suarez and Nick Martinez chipped in scoreless single-inning stints as well.
“It looks like his mechanics are better and he is throwing it more where he wants to,” Melvin said. “He is throwing the ball over the plate and not getting behind.”
In addition to Profar’s homer in the second inning, the Padres got solo shots from Jake Cronenworth (3 for 3) and by Wil Myers (150th career homer).
Arizona’s Corbin Carroll — who made his MLB debut Aug. 29 — hit his first homer in the second inning, going back-to-back with Varsho.
Diamondbacks starter Tommy Henry (3-4) allowed five runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
San Diego’s Juan Soto was hit in the right shoulder blade in the third inning by Henry. Soto stayed down in a crouch in pain in the batter’s box for about a minute before walking slowly to first base. He played defense in the fourth inning before being replaced in the top of the fifth inning.
Melvin said Soto has a right shoulder contusion but hopefully he will be able to play on Friday when the Padres open a three-game series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park.
“I think he is going to be okay, hopefully after an off-day,” Melvin said. “Initially when you get hit, kind of the strength goes away. He tried to go in the cage and swing a little bit and it wasn't great. But these things happen during the course of a season. Hopefully after a full day's rest he will be able to go the next day."
