On a day when the Padres desperately needed to shake their recent struggles, the squad managed to come through. They took down the White Sox, 7-3, at Rate Field on Saturday evening, preventing the Dodgers from extending their NL West lead beyond four games.

Ryan O’Hearn, one of a plethora of A.J. Preller’s trade acquisitions at this year’s deadline, collected three hits in the victory. His huge bases-clearing double in the sixth inning propelled San Diego forward, giving them their first lead of the evening as they never looked back.

The first baseman earned just his second three-hit performance as a Padre, leading the team to a crucial victory. 

San Diego starter Yu Darvish could not make it through five innings on Saturday as he worked 4 2/3 frames, allowing six hits and two earned runs. Miguel Vargas ripped a double to center field in the first that got Chicago out in front early, while Kyle Teel had an RBI double of his own against Darvish in the third.

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He was smooth the rest of the way, however, retiring six of the final eight batters that he saw before Adrian Morejon took over. Morejon worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, ultimately taking the victory and improving to 13-5.

Yoendrys Gomez, Chicago’s right-handed starter, showed similar numbers to Darvish. The right-hander also allowed six hits, working 5 1/3 innings as he allowed three earned runs.

Jackson Merrill mashed his 15th home run of the season in the second against Gomez, finding the seats in right-center to temporarily get the Padres even at one. Machado later struck in the sixth, knocking Gomez out of the contest with an RBI single that scored Fernando Tatis Jr. to tie the game at two.

After the big sixth inning that saw O’Hearn’s big double against White Sox reliever Fraser Ellard, the Friars continued to pad their advantage in the later innings. Gavin Sheets and Luis Arráez slapped RBI singles in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, creating a 7-2 lead.

Robert Suarez eventually stepped onto the mound in the ninth, recording the final three outs to get San Diego across the finish line. Lenyn Sosa did manage to take him deep for a solo shot, giving Chicago a third run before they fizzled out for good.

With a big rubber match on Sunday morning, the Padres will send out right-hander Michael King (4-3, 3.84 ERA) to make his 14th appearance of the season. He will match up with White Sox right-hander Sean Burke (4-10, 4.29 ERA).

First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. PT.