Padres take series opener, move to within a game of Diamondbacks in race for top wild-card spot
The Padres’ Manny Machado is congratulated by Jake Cronenworth after hitting a two-run homer in the first inning of Monday’s game against the Cardinals. ST. LOUIS — On Monday, the Padres began a weeklong road trip that will end a marathon run of games.Foremost, fill-in starter Randy Vásquez gave them six innings, when at one point it did not appear at all likely he would.
But victories are at a premium now, more than ever, and the Padres have just 29 games remaining and are looking to secure a playoff spot. All the Padres’ runs were charged to Cardinals starter Kyle Gibson, who had held them to two runs over seven innings on April 1 at Petco Park. The veteran right-hander departed with one out and a runner on second in the fifth inning, having thrown just 49 strikes among his 90 pitches.
Luis Arraez led off the third with a single, and walks by Jurickson Profar and Machado loaded the bases with one out before Merrill drove in a run with a single.
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