Better late than never – that is what they say.
For the San Diego Padres, that statement rang true when Fernando Tatis Jr., who had four strikeouts in the game, lined a two-out double to center field in the top of the ninth inning off Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman. Ramon Laureano, who had not recorded a hit in the game, followed with an RBI-single to left-center field which allowed Tatis Jr. to score to give the Padres a 3-2 lead. San Diego closer Mason Miller came out for the bottom of the ninth inning and made quick work of the Red Sox hitters, retiring all three in order with strikeouts.
The win helped the Padres move to 3-5 on the season, but it was yet another game in which the San Diego lineup struggled to get anything going. Miguel Andujar had three hits in the game while Tatis Jr. and Laureano recorded their only hits in the top of the ninth inning. Freddy Fermin and Ty France logged the other two hits for the Padres.
Left-hander Connely Early started for the Red Sox and that caused San Diego manager Craig Stammen to go with a righty heavy lineup that featured Tatis Jr., Laureano, Andujar, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Freddy Fermin and Ty France to all step to the plate before lefty Jake Cronenworth took his turn. Bryce Johnson, a switch hitter rounded out the lineup.