Luis Arraez delivered a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday night as the San Diego Padres halted the Los Angeles Dodgers’ seven-game winning streak with a 2-1 triumph.
The decisive inning began with Luis Campusano’s double, the Padres’ second hit of the game, into the left field corner off Dodgers pitcher Michael Grove (1-2). After Ha-Seong Kim struck out, Arraez stepped up and quickly laced a first-pitch fastball into center field. Pinch runner Tyler Wade easily scored, beating the throw home.
Pitcher Robert Suarez (2-0) then secured the win by working a flawless top of the ninth inning.
Suarez’s stellar performance sealed San Diego’s seventh win in nine games, although the victory was hard-fought against the Dodgers, who maintain a commanding lead of 5 1/2 games over the second-place Padres in the National League West standings.
Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision despite their outstanding outings. Dodgers’ Tyler Glasnow allowed just one hit and one run over seven innings, walking two and striking out 10, thereby taking the lead for most strikeouts in the majors with 73. However, Padres’ Michael King outperformed him by pitching seven scoreless innings, conceding only two hits and three walks while striking out 11.
The Padres’ win was a significant accomplishment against the Dodgers, who had won 14 of their last 17 games.
