In a tightly contested pitchers’ duel, Logan Webb outlasted Blake Snell, and Michael Conforto’s clutch two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning propelled the San Francisco Giants to a 2-1 victory over the visiting San Diego Padres on Monday night. This win essentially dealt a significant blow to the Padres’ postseason aspirations.
The Giants (78-79) fought back from a challenging 2-8 road trip and kept their slim chances alive in the National League wild-card race. They now trail the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks, who occupy the final two wild-card spots with identical records of 82-74, by just 4 1/2 games.
The Padres (77-80) suffered only their second loss in their last 11 games, and their playoff hopes now hinge on a tiebreaker at best, as they can no longer surpass the Cubs or the Diamondbacks.
Blake Snell showcased his exceptional form with six scoreless innings for the Padres, extending his streak of scoreless starts to three. However, the Giants finally found a way past the Padres’ pitching in the eighth inning when Robert Suarez (4-3) took the mound. San Francisco loaded the bases with one out after LaMonte Wade Jr. drew a walk, Marco Luciano hit a double, and Joc Pederson received an intentional walk. Suarez managed to secure the second out as Patrick Bailey grounded into a force play at home, but Conforto stepped up and delivered a decisive single to left field.
Logan Webb (11-13) turned in a stellar performance, going the distance for the win. While he surrendered a run in the first inning, he kept the Padres off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. Webb allowed nine hits, struck out seven batters, and did not issue a single walk.
In the ninth inning, the Padres mounted a threat as Juan Soto and Manny Machado hit consecutive singles to lead off the frame. However, Webb demonstrated composure by inducing three consecutive ground balls, including a crucial force play at home that eliminated Soto from the play.
Machado was responsible for San Diego’s lone run, driving in Xander Bogaerts, who had initiated the game with an infield single in the first inning.
Although Blake Snell did not secure a decision, he continued his impressive late-season resurgence, strengthening his candidacy for the NL Cy Young Award. Over his last six starts, Snell has transformed into a dominant force, boasting a 14-9 record with a league-leading 2.25 ERA after being 10-9 with a 2.73 ERA following a loss to the Miami Marlins on August 22.
Austin Slater stood out for the Giants with a double and two singles, contributing to their seven-hit total. On the Padres’ side, Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Brett Sullivan each notched two hits, with Tatis recording a double in the first inning as San Diego’s sole extra-base hit of the game.
