The Arizona Diamondbacks secured a significant 6-1 lead against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on July 9, primarily fueled by Geraldo Perdomo’s two-out grand slam in the fifth inning. Starting pitcher Dylan Cease of the Padres allowed Perdomo to connect with an 0-1 fastball, resulting in Perdomo’s tenth home run of the season and his second grand slam, showcasing his clutch hitting ability during crucial moments of the game.
Prior to Perdomo’s homer, the Diamondbacks had already established a 2-0 lead with solo home runs from James McCann and Eugenio Suarez—both players adding to their impressive season stats. McCann, who has shown consistent performance since joining the team on June 23, launched his second home run in the upper deck during the third inning. Suarez, who has hit his 29th home run of the season, contributed significantly with his dinger in the fourth inning.
While the Diamondbacks’ offense roared back to life after a night of being shut out, starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt delivered a solid outing with four scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. The Padres’ offense did manage to get on the board with a run in the fifth, yet it was not enough to overcome the Diamondbacks’ early lead.
In other developments for the Diamondbacks, Andrew Saalfrank marked his return to the big leagues over 14 months after a suspension for gambling offenses. Reinstated last month, Saalfrank indicated that he was grateful to be back with the team, emphasizing the importance of his experience during his time away.
Additionally, Tristin English was set to make his major league debut in the same game, having impressed during his time at Triple-A Reno. This marked a significant career milestone for him after being drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2019. English expressed excitement about having family support at the game and the culmination of his lifelong dream.
On the injury front, catcher Gabriel Moreno remained sidelined with a hand injury. He recently consulted a hand specialist, and while the fracture persists, he is expected to be reevaluated in about ten days.
As the Diamondbacks continue their series against the Padres, they aim to maintain their momentum in the chase for a postseason spot. The next game in the series will feature Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez opposing Padres right-hander Stephen Kolek.
Overall, the Diamondbacks are on an upward trajectory, combining strong offensive performances with notable player returns, which can create a positive environment as they look to build on their season’s accomplishments.