The San Diego Padres, again taking advantage of walks by St. Louis, won 5-3 Sunday to sweep the Cardinals, leaders in the National League Central.
The Padres, at 24-17, are within a half-game of the San Francisco Giants, who sit atop the NL West, and have somehow surged despite their COVID-19 challenges of the past week.
“It all came together these last, I think, six days, we’ve been going good, and just gonna try to keep it rolling through this Colorado series …” said centerfielder Trent Grisham.
St. Louis pitching again proved wild as the Padres enjoyed a four-run 4th inning.
Manny Machado opened the inning by reaching on an error by Nolan Arenado, who had homered in the first to give the Cards a 2-0 lead.
With one out, and Jake Cronenworth, Tommy Pham and Austin Nola on, the next two batters, Tucupita Marcano and Ha-Seong Kim, walked to force in two runs. Patrick Kivlehan followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in Nola, then pinch-hitter Ivan Castillo singled to knock in Marcano.
Grisham added a double in the 6th to score Kivlehan, who walked.
Dinelson Lamet was credited with the win – his first of the year – after his two innings of relief work behind Ryan Weathers, who gave way for a pinch-hitter in the decisive 4th inning.
Mark Melancon added to his Major-League leading total with his 14th save of the season.
The Cardinals issued eight walks Sunday, in addition to the 12 they offered up in the Padres’ 5-4 Friday win.
The series also included a 13-3 laugher as the Padres pounded the Cardinals with 17 hits Saturday.
Saturday’s win included:
- Three home runs from Pham, Kim and Nola.
- A six-RBI performance from Nola, including his three-run homer.
- Three hits apiece from Nola, Cronenworth and Grisham.
The Cardinals held onto to first place in the NL Central despite the sweep.
The Padre home stand continues at 7:10 Monday as the Colorado Rockies arrive for three games. The Padres will send Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove to the mound during the series.
