PHOENIX – Trent Grisham had two doubles and four RBI, Xander Bogaerts added a two-run homer and the San Diego Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-5 on Thursday night in Fernando Tatis Jr.’s return from a PED suspension.
Tatis was 0 for 5 with two strikeouts in his first regular season game since 2021, leading off the bat and playing right field. His highlight of the night came on defense in the eighth, when he ran back and to his left before intercepting a line drive, robbing Josh Rojas of an extra base hit.
The 24-year-old Tatis missed last season, first due to a left wrist injury and then an 80-game PED suspension.
Grisham and Bogarts were among the starters that made up for Tatis’ slow offensive start. Grisham scored two runs in the second inning to give the Padres a 2–0 lead, and scored a two-run double in the sixth that made the score 7–5.
Bogarts hit a 405-foot shot in the third for his fifth homer of the season. Matt Carpenter also had a solo homer.
Thanks to a large contingent of Padres fans, Tatis was greeted with a mixture of cheers and boos in his first at-bat at Chase Field.
The Padres took a 5–1 lead after Carpenter’s homer in the fourth, but the D-Backs responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning off righty Michael Wacha. Rojas had a two-run single in the rally.
Xander Bogarts of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Juan Soto (22) after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning during a baseball game Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Rick Scutari
Wacha allowed five runs on 10 hits over the last four innings. He struck out three and walked one. Brent Honeywell (2-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Josh Hader worked on several occasions in the top of the ninth for his sixth save.
Arizona right-hander Rene Nelson allowed five runs in five innings. Kyle Nelson (3-1) took the loss after giving up two unearned runs in relief.
The D-Backs lost despite a 12–7 advantage in hits. Christian Walker had a three-hit night, including a double and an RBI.
bumgarner out
Geraldo Perdomo (2) of the Arizona Diamondbacks dives to third base after hitting a triple under the tag of San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado in the second inning during a baseball game Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Rick Scutari
The Diamondbacks also made roster news on Thursday, though it was a subtraction rather than an addition.
Arizona designated four-time All-Star Madison Bumgarner for assignment after his latest shaky start, accounting for about $34.4 million of his $85 million salary on a five-year deal he signed in 2020.
The 33-year-old has allowed at least five runs in three of his four starts this season and has gone 1-3 with a 10.26 ERA after his latest blowout Wednesday in St. Louis.
The left-hander has failed to live up to expectations in the desert since signing his long-term deal. A postseason hero for San Francisco, he has gone 15-32 with a 5.23 ERA in 69 starts and is having his worst season with Arizona.
doing the trick
Padres: Sent Brandon Dixon to Triple-A to make room for Tatis. He also moved RHP Robert Suarez to the 60-day IL.
Diamondbacks: Added RHP Anthony Mickiewicz to roster after Bumgarner was designated for assignment.
next
The Padres send RHP Seth Lugo (2-0, 2.70 ERA) to the mound on Friday night. He will face RHP Zac Gallen (2-1, 3.33 ERA), who has gone 14 2/3 scoreless innings in his last two starts.
