Padres Press Clips Sunday, August 27, 2017

Article Source Author Page

Padres fall to Marlins on 11th-inning walk-off UT San Diego Lin 2

Padres claim RHP Tim Melville from Twins UT San Diego Lin 5

Tatis promotion shows Padres prospects dictate how fast UT San Diego Sanders 6 they move

Richard tries to slow down Stanton in finale MLB.com Pinak 9

'Brotato' stymies former club in return to Miami MLB.com Pinak 10

'El Flaco' goes 6 strong, but Friars lose in 11th MLB.com Frisaro/Pinak 12

Padres claim RHP Melville as starting option MLB.com Pinak 15

Rojas' sacrifice fly helps Marlins beat Padres 2-1 in 11 Associated Press AP 17

1

Padres fall to Marlins on 11th-inning walk-off Dennis Lin

For 10 innings, the Padres and the played what could have been described as a symmetrical game. The Padres collected five hits. The Marlins totaled one more. Both sides committed an error. Both starting threw six frames of one-run ball.

But the initial contrast on the mound would have been obvious to even casual observers. Odrisamer Despaigne, the Marlins’ spot starter and a former San Diego , favors guile over power, variety over simplicity. At this stage of his career, Padres rookie is essentially a two-pitch arm, relying on high velocity and wipeout sliders.

In an extra-inning contest Saturday at Marlins Park, Lamet and Despaigne used different methods while pitching to a draw. Brad Hand, a former Marlin, inherited a precarious situation and succeeded in keeping the score tied. It remained that way for over the next hour.

In the bottom of the 11th, Miguel Rojas lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center. The Marlins poured out of their dugout to celebrate a 2-1, walkoff victory, a climactic conclusion to a prolonged duel.

“Our pitching gave us every opportunity to win this game,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “I actually thought we swung the bats relatively well. We weren’t punching out all day. There were a lot of lineouts and hard ground balls. Ironically, the only hits we got were little nubbers in front of the shortstop. … We just couldn’t seem to get the big hit at any point in time to get us over the top.”

Lamet rebounded from one of his wildest major league outings. In his previous start, the right- hander had recorded 14 outs and walked six batters. Saturday, he showed greater command of his repertoire.

The only run against him was the result of a slider over the plate. With the count 0-2 in the fourth, Lamet threw it to , who had mashed the winning here Friday. On this occasion, Ozuna crushed a tying homer to left-center.

The Padres had run their way a 1-0 lead in the second. Cory Spangenberg singled with one out, took second on a Hector Sanchez single and moved to third on a fielder's choice. Jabari Blash took off for second, J.T. Realmuto fired a high throw in that direction and, as the ball ticked off Rojas’ glove, Spangenberg darted toward home on a double-steal.

“It was a lucky break for us more than anything,” Green said. “We took a chance and were able to steal a run right there, and that was really the only thing that kept us in the game through extra innings.”

2

Despaigne shook off the run to complete six innings in a major league start for the first time since Aug. 1, 2015, when he pitched here for the Padres. After Spangenberg's theft, he allowed only one runner to advance past first. He finished with a single while conceding three hits and two walks.

Lamet encountered more turbulence. In the fifth, he issued a two-out walk to Dee Gordon, bringing home-run specialist Giancarlo Stanton to the plate. Gordon stole second and made it to third on an error. Lamet froze Stanton with an inning-ending slider, inducing sighs of relief in the visitors’ dugout.

The bottom of the sixth was even bumpier. Christian Yelich led off with an infield single and stole second. Derek Dietrich notched a two-out, infield single. Tomas Telis worked a 10-pitch at- bat, fouling off four consecutive pitches before Lamet got him to pop out.

“In that moment, I was thinking I’m probably not seeing another hitter after this guy,” Lamet said through an interpreter. “I was really focused and trying to bear down on making my best pitch and making a quality pitch.”

Over his six innings, Lamet yielded four hits and three walks. He struck out five.

“He continues to take steps forward,” Green said. “He walks a couple guys in the first inning, and after that he really settled in. He went to the slider, and he got his fastball back on track. I thought he threw the ball really well.”

Another rookie did not record an out in the bottom of the seventh. Phil Maton gave up a leadoff walk before Ichiro Suzuki, 18 years his senior, placed a pinch-hit single inside the left-field line. Green lifted Maton and summoned his best reliever.

Hand lived up to that billing. The left-hander induced a fielder’s choice. Green signaled for an intentional walk of Stanton, who was 1-for-1 with a homer in his career against Hand. With the bases loaded and one out, Hand struck out Yelich. Up came Ozuna. Hand retired him on an inning-ending flyout.

On the mound again in the eighth, he set down the side in order.

“What Brad Hand did, there’s probably, like, two or three pitchers in the game that can come in and work their way out of that at that part of a lineup that’s that dynamic,” Green said. “...I don’t soft-serve him ever. He’s always going through the teeth of the order.”

Wil Myers started the ninth with an infield single, a second consecutive hit after an 0-for-21 stretch. He stole second. He would be stranded there.

The Padres, who went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, completed the game having scored their lone run on a double-steal.

“I don’t even feel like we were even off balance,” Green said. “It’s just that the balls we squared up didn’t turn into hits today. I think we stayed away from the strikeout, which has been a nemesis for us all season long. One of those days where things honestly just didn’t work out.”

3

In the bottom of the 11th, Dietrich led off with a double against Jose Torres. He went to third on a sacrifice. Rojas went to bat against a five-man infield. The defensive configuration was rendered moot as the ball soared out to center.

The loss officially eliminated the Padres from the National League West playoff picture. In a rebuilding season, of course, that has never been the focus.

4

Padres claim RHP Tim Melville from Twins Dennis Lin

The Padres on Saturday claimed right-hander Tim Melville off waivers from the . In a corresponding, procedural move, right-hander Miguel Diazwas transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Melville, who joins Triple-A El Paso’s rotation, will be considered for a call-up when rosters expand next month.

Once a well-regarded prospect for Kansas City, Melville made a spot start Monday with the Twins, allowing five runs over 3 1/3 innings. His other three major league appearances came with the in 2016, when he allowed 11 earned runs over nine innings.

Melville, the Royals’ fourth-round draft pick in 2008, briefly pitched in the independent Atlantic League before Minnesota signed him in June. He earned his recent big-leauge start after posting a 2.70 ERA in 11 games with Triple-A Rochester. The Twins designated him for assignment Tuesday.

“It’s a live arm,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “His last time out, it was 94 to 96 (mph) with a slider, a curveball and a change-up. … I think there’s a lot to like there, and it’s another starting option that gets into our minor league system. We’ll see if he ends up with us in probably the next couple weeks.”

The Padres have extracted significant value from the waiver wire in recent months. Their 15 claims since the start of last season include their top two relievers, Brad Hand and , and Hector Sanchez.

“We’ve had some success doing it, and they’re guys we really like,” Green said. “Every time (the front office sees) somebody they think could impact us, they take them. I think it’s only a positive for the organization.”

Diaz had been on the 10-day disabled list since June 22, owing to a right forearm strain. The Rule 5 draftee made his second rehab start with high Single-A Lake Elsinore on Friday, throwing four innings of one-run ball.

“Velo was what it normally is, up to 96, pitching in the low- to mid-90s,” Green said. “I thought he actually threw some really good change-ups when I watched the film.”

Green said Diaz will make one more rehab start, with El Paso, before coming off the disabled list.

5

Tatis promotion shows Padres prospects dictate how fast they move Jeff Sanders The plan was to keep Fort Wayne’s nucleus together for a playoff push. Fernando Tatis Jr. forced an audible. The rapid development of a young shortstop behind Tatis made it even easier for the Padres player development department to push their top position prospect from the low Single-A all the way to Double-A San Antonio this week.

Like the Padres have said all along, the players themselves will dictate how fast they move.

“Over the years we’ve talked about wanting to win at the minor league level and challenge our guys,” Padres farm director Sam Geaney said. “We’re going to challenge our guys to be young at a level and be very, very competitive.”

Tatis certainly qualifies.

He was the third youngest player in the Midwest League to start the year. After a meteoric rise to become one of the top prospects in all of baseball, Tatis – at 18 years old – is now the youngest player in the Texas League.

In between, the 6-foot-3 shortstop hit a Fort Wayne-record 21 homers, swiped 30 bases, drove in 70 runs and fashioned a .275/.381/.504 batting line. His performance since the all-star break, in particular – .311/.458/.650, 12 homers and 17 steals in 51 games – forced the Padres to fast- forward their plans.

“It got to the point over the last week,” Geaney said, “where the league wasn’t challenging him.”

Of course, the Padres weren’t about to leave Fort Wayne high and dry up the middle.

To replace Tatis, they promoted the 17-year-old Gabriel Arias from the rookie-level Arizona League, where he was hitting .275/.329/.353, 13 RBIs and four steals. Since singing for $1.9 million during the 2016-2017 spending spree in the international market, Arias’ Gold Glove potential on defense and budding gap power has the Padres bullish on his ceiling.

“He’s a guy we think has a chance to be very gifted defensive shortstop, play the position long- term without a doubt and we’ve seen tremendous offensive growth in him in the year we’ve had him,” Geaney said. “We’re only a couple months into his pro career but I do think he’ll be able to hold his own at Fort Wayne.”

Through Friday, Tatis was 2-for-17 with an RBI, a steal, five and no walks in five games at San Antonio. 6

Arias is 6-for-27 with a double, three RBIs, seven strikeouts and no walks in seven games in Fort Wayne.

San Antonio honors Infielder Luis Urias, right-handed starter Brett Kennedy and right-handed reliever Trey Wingenter were all named to Texas League’s postseason all-star team, while San Antonio manager Phillip Wellman was named the Texas League Manager of the Year.

The California League MVP a year ago, the 20-year-old Urias is hitting .299/.400/.387 with three homers, 35 RBIs and more walks (64) than strikeouts (58).

The 23-year-old Kennedy leads Padres minor leaguers with 12 wins, has fashioned a 3.65 ERA over 24 starts (130 2/3 IP), has struck out 129 and walked 34.

Wingenter, 23, leads the organization with 19 saves in 24 chances. He has struck out 61, fashioned a 2.18 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP and has limited opposing hitters to a .181 average over 45 1/3 innings.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS (Through Friday; min. 230 at-bats, 67 )

• Batting average: .353 – OF Nick Buss (AAA) • On-base percentage: .419 – OF Jabari Blash (AAA) • Homers: 22 – OF Franmil Reyes (AA) • Total bases: 226 – SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (A/AA) • RBIs: 95 – Reyes • Steals: 31 – 2B Eguy Rosario (R/A) • Wins: 12 – RHP Brett Kennedy (AA) • ERA: 1.97 – RHP T.J Weir (A+/AA) • WHIP: 0.93 – RHP (AA/AAA) • Saves: 19 – RHP Trey Wingenter (AA) • Strikeouts: 155 – RHP Pedro Avila (A/A+) • SO/W: 24.3 – RHP Jim McDade (SS/A)

FRIDAY’S GAMES

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (33-27, 74-56)

• Missions 4, Corpus Christi 1: RHP Enyel De Los Santos (10-5, 3.69) struck out seven and allowed a run on four hits and four walks in seven innings. RHP Yimmi Brasoban (2.84) saved his first game with two perfect innings. RF Framily Reyes (.261) drove in two runs on his farm-system-best 22nd homer and 1B Josh Naylor (.259) and DH Noah Perio (.274) each had two hits. 7

HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (25-36, 60-71)

• Storm 5, Lancaster 3: RHP Miguel Diaz struck out three and allowed allowed a run on four hits and two walks in four innings in his third rehab start. RHP Adrian De Horta (3- 1, 4.89) allowed two runs – one earned in four innings in relief for the win and RHP Colby Blueberg (2.68) pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth . LF Rod Boykin (.311) drove in three runs on three hits and RF River Stevens (.315), 1B Fernando Perez (.297) and SS Ruddy Giron (.229) each had two hits.

LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (38-23, 64-67)

• TinCaps 11, Lansing 3: RHP Michel Baez (6-2, 2.61) struck out five and allowed two runs on seven hits and no walks. 1B G.K. Young (.248) went 3-for-4 with his 11thhomer, CF Buddy Reed (.224) drove in two runs on his fifth homer and 2B Reinaldo Ilarraza (.225), SS Gabriel Arias (.222) and C Chandler Seagle (.150) drove in two runs on two hits.

SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY (17-13, 37-31)

• Dust Devils 4, Spokane 0: LHP Nick Margevicius (3-0, 1.50) struck out three over five shutout innings for the win. RF Luis Asuncion (.274) went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk and LF Josh Magee (.221) went 2-for-4 with a steal and a run scored.

ROOKIE AZL PADRES1 (8-13, 23-26)

• Angels 6, Padres 5: RHP Michell Miliano (0-3, 8.18) allowed four runs – two earned – on two hits and four walks in 1 2/3 innings in relief in the loss. CF Jeisson Rosario (.300) went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI and 1B Jason Pineda (.236) went 0-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and a steal.

ROOKIE DSL PADRES (24-46)

• White Sox 8, Padres 4: RHP Ramon Pena (0-3, 6.21) allowed seven runs on four hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings in the start. SS Tucupita Marcano (.205), RF Yordi Francisco (.277) and LF Edward Burgos (.167) each had two hits.

Note

• Triple-A El Paso (65-66) was rained out. The Chihuahuas will play a doubleheader Saturday.

8

Richard tries to slow down Stanton in finale By Patrick Pinak / MLB.com | 7:07 AM ET

Giancarlo (aka "Cruz") Stanton's quest for 50 home runs continues during the final day of Players Weekend on Sunday as the Marlins close a three-game set with the Padres at Marlins Park.

While the unique, three-day event has brought flair and color all around the Majors, not much has changed regarding Stanton's torrid second half. The slugger has clubbed 23 homers since the All- Star break and is a big reason why the Marlins are in the National League Wild Card hunt.

Clayton Richard (6-12, 4.89 ERA) will try to keep Stanton in the yard. The left-hander leads the NL in hits allowed (197), with 21 of those having left the ballpark. Richard is 1-0 with a 2.36 ERA in four August starts.

Dan Straily (8-8, 3.83 ERA) (aka "Rojo") hopes to repeat the success he had earlier this year against the Padres. On April 22 in San Diego, the right-hander struck out a career-high 14 batters over seven innings of two-run ball. He's 1-4 with a 5.10 ERA in eight second-half starts.

Three things to know about this game

• One of Stanton's homers on Friday night was a 118.2-mph rocket over the left-field seats that traveled a projected distance of 462 feet per Statcast. It marked the seventh-highest exit velocity on a home run since Statcast debuted in 2015, the fifth highest this season and the third highest on record for Stanton. He and Yankees rookie Aaron Judge are responsible for nine of the 10 hardest- hit homers Statcast has tracked. Meanwhile, Stanton is the all-time leader with 15 homers of at least 115 mph, which is more than any team.

• Stanton is just 1-for-5 with three strikeouts against Richard, but he has owned southpaws this season. In 98 at-bats, "Cruz" has slashed .306/.424/.755 with 12 homers. Only Colorado's Nolan Arenado (13) has more long balls off lefties.

• Padres reliever Brad Hand (aka "Brotato") returned to Marlins Park for the first time since representing San Diego in the Midsummer Classic in July. The Marlins selected him in the second round of the 2008 Draft and spent five years with the big league club from 2011-15. 9

'Brotato' stymies former club in return to Miami By Patrick Pinak / MLB.com | 1:00 AM ET

MIAMI -- For Brad Hand, Miami is a reminder. It's a reminder of both where he came from and where he is now after seven years in the big leagues.

"Brotato", as Hand's going by for Players Weekend, fired two scoreless innings and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the Padres' 2-1 loss in 11 innings to the Marlins -- his former organization -- on Saturday at Marlins Park.

It also marked the left-hander's first time taking the mound in Miami since tossing a scoreless seventh -- - in which he retired Gary Sanchez, Avisail Garcia and Robinson Cano -- in July's Midsummer Classic.

And whether because of the situation or his history with the opposing organization, Hand had slightly more gas in the tank than usual.

"You don't typically see 97 [mph] out of him," Padres manager Andy Green said. "So I don't know if it's [the history] or it's 'Brotato' on the back of his jersey that got him more amped up."

Hand entered the seventh with runners at the corners and no outs. He induced a fielder's choice groundout off the bat of Dee Gordon, intentionally walked Giancarlo Stanton, fanned Christian Yelich on a few nasty sliders and got Marcell Ozuna to fly out to right to keep the game tied at 1. His fastball sat around 94 mph and touched 97.

Ever since the Padres claimed Hand off waivers from the Marlins last year, the southpaw has looked like a shorter second coming of Andrew Miller.

Consider this note: Hand struck out 190 batters over 288 2/3 innings during a five-year span with the Marlins, primarily as a starter. In his two seasons in San Diego, he has fanned 198 batters in 155 frames. Hand must've looked like a completely foreign player to Marlins fans who remember him.

10

It has been nothing new for Hand, though. A 2.19 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings are already eye-popping, and then there's his streak from June 14-Aug. 8 when he went 24 straight scoreless frames.

It's no wonder Green isn't afraid to play his best card at any given moment.

"He's never facing like the bottom part of the batting order. He's always going right after the heart," Green said. "I don't think people even really realize how good his numbers really are because every single time he pitches, it's against their best hitters."

Saturday night was more of the same. And once again, Hand prevailed -- this time against the club that selected him in the second round of the 2008 Draft.

"I'm sure there has to be a little extra motivation knowing that this is the team that released you," Green said. "I'm guessing he's past that. He doesn't need motivation. He just gets the job done."

11

'El Flaco' goes 6 strong, but Friars lose in 11th By Joe Frisaro and Patrick Pinak / MLB.com | 2:05 AM ET

MIAMI -- It's not just the Giancarlo Stanton (aka "Cruz") show that is leading the charge for the Marlins. They are getting contributions throughout their lineup, and on Saturday night it was Miguel Rojas' (aka "Miggy Ro") turn during Players Weekend.

Rojas lifted a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning as the Marlins celebrated a 2-1 walk-off win over the Padres at Marlins Park.

Derek Dietrich (aka "Dietz") started the rally with a leadoff double off Jose Torres (aka "Torry"). After he was bunted to third, the Padres went with five infielders and two . Rojas lifted a fly ball to right field, scoring Dietrich, for his first career walk-off RBI.

"Great win for us after battling for 11 innings," Rojas said. "Dietrich putting a great at-bat against a lefty, always fighting. This team is showing some character. It's nothing about me or individuals right now, it's about trying to make the playoffs."

With the Rockies winning on Saturday, the Marlins remain 4 1/2 games out in the chase for the second National League Wild Card spot.

"They're going to start thinking about us because we're coming for them," Rojas said. "We're coming for Arizona and for Colorado. We have a six-game series over there [Sept. 22-27]. Those are great places to play. It's going to be exciting. I think with the atmosphere here at Marlins Park, today and [Friday], it was great."

Both starters were effective, each allowing just one run in six innings. Dinelson Lamet (aka "El Flaco") yielded four hits, with the most impactful being Marcell Ozuna's (aka "The Big Bear") home run to lead off the fourth. Miami's Odrisamer Despaigne (aka "Mili-Pino") gave up three hits with two walks and one strikeout. Pitching remained the story of the night, with each bullpen matching zeros until the 11th.

"I'm proud of him. He continues to take steps forward," Padres manager Andy Green said of Lamet. "I thought he threw the ball really well." 12

Ozuna's tater in the fourth marked his sixth game-tying homer of the season. That's second in the NL, behind Stanton's seven.

"We've talked about winning series, but at this point, you have to get greedy," Marlins manager said. "I think at this point, you can't be happy. … When you have a [chance to] sweep, you want to try to do it."

The Padres used a double steal to swipe a run in the second inning and take the early lead. With Cory Spangenberg (aka "Spangy") on third and Jabari Blash (aka "Big Daddy") on first with Lamet at the plate with two outs, both runners took off. J.T. Realmuto threw high to second, and the ball sailed into center field. It was scored a double steal, with Spangenberg coming home on the play.

"It was a lucky break for us more than anything else," Green said. "We took a chance and were able to steal a run right there. That was really the only thing that kept us in the game through extra innings. We just couldn't put another run on the board."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Caught looking at a Steckasaurus: The Padres had the go-ahead runner on second with two outs when Drew Steckenrider (aka "Steckasaurus") relieved lefty Jarlin Garcia (aka "Jarlin The Marlin") in the ninth inning. The right-handed Steckenrider faced Blash, capping a full-count showdown by catching San Diego's right fielder looking at a slider.

"Our guys did a nice job out of the 'pen, kept us right there, kept giving us chances," Mattingly said.

Handed a difficult jam: All-Star reliever Brad Hand (aka "Brotato") entered with runners on the corners and no outs in the seventh after Ichiro Suzuki (aka "Ichi") lined a single to left. Hand, formerly with the Marlins, got out of it unscathed. Dee Gordon (aka "Varis Strange") grounded into a fielder's choice before Stanton was intentionally walked. Hand struck out Christian Yelich (aka "Yeli"), and the threat was thwarted when Ozuna flied out to right.

"There's probably like two or three pitchers in the game that can come in and work their way out of that part of a lineup that's that dynamic," Green said. "You could tell he was juiced up in that situation."

13

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Ichiro's single in the seventh inning was his 22nd pinch-hit hit of the season, establishing a Marlins season record. Ross Gload knocked 21 in 2009.

QUOTABLE "Everybody is playing for their teammates. That's something that makes me happy because this is a club that was put together to do this, be in the race for the playoffs. We're doing this after a terrible month of May and a bunch of injuries." -- Rojas, on the state of the Marlins

REPLAY REVIEW The Marlins got a quick overturn on Manuel Margot's (aka "Yoandry") grounder to short in the third inning. Margot grounded to Rojas in the hole, with the initial call at first safe. After a review of 37 seconds, the ruling was overturned.

WHAT'S NEXT Padres: Clayton Richard (6-12, 4.89 ERA) takes the ball in the series finale at 10:10 a.m. ET on Sunday at Marlins Park. The left-hander is 1-0 with a 2.36 ERA in four August starts.

Marlins: Miami closes out its three-game series and homestand at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday with Dan Straily, aka Rojo, (8-8, 3.83 ERA) on the mound. In seven day games, the right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.46 ERA.

14

Padres claim RHP Melville as starting option Diaz (right forearm strain) transferred to 60-day DL

By Patrick Pinak / MLB.com | August 26th, 2017

MIAMI -- The Padres have found success on the waiver wire recently, most notably in All-Star reliever Brad Hand, and now they're hoping for similar results with their latest move.

San Diego claimed Tim Melville off waivers from the Twins on Saturday and transferred Miguel Diaz to the 60-day disabled list in a corresponding move.

Melville, 27, made his season debut for the Twins on Monday but was designated for assignment two days later. He surrendered five runs on four hits over 3 1/3 innings against the White Sox.

The 6-foot-4 right-hander offers an intriguing starting option with upside for the Padres and could be a September callup if all goes well. Melville posted a 4-3 record and a 2.70 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) for Triple-A Rochester.

Padres manager Andy Green said he was impressed by Melville's stuff after watching film of him on Friday night. He has fanned 64 batters in 66 2/3 frames in the Minors this season.

"It was 94-96 [mph] with a slider, a curveball and a changeup. I really like the curveball," Green said. "I think there's a lot to like there, and it's another starting option that gets into our Minor League system."

Melville, a fourth-round pick by the Royals in the 2008 Draft, will join Triple-A El Paso's rotation. After striking gold on Hand last year and adding another solid bullpen piece in Kirby Yatesoff waivers this season, the Padres figured Melville was worth a flier.

"We've had some success doing it, and they're guys we really like," Green said.

Worth noting

15

• The transferring of Diaz (right forearm strain) to the 60-day DL doesn't mean much since he has been out for longer than 60 days. The Padres are hopeful the right-hander will return to the club within the next week. Diaz will make his next and -- if all goes well -- final rehab start at El Paso. In two starts at Advanced Lake Elsinore, he gave up three runs over 7 1/3 innings.

• All signs point to Jhoulys Chacin making his Monday start against the Giants, Green noted, though he wouldn't say for sure. The right-hander is feeling better after jamming his throwing hand on Wednesday.

16

Rojas' sacrifice fly helps Marlins beat Padres 2-1 in 11 Associated Press

MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins keep winning, even with patchwork pitching.

Miguel Rojas hit a one-out sacrifice fly in the 11th inning, and five pitchers combined to help Miami win for the 12th time in 15 games by beating the 2-1 Saturday night.

Odrisamer Despaigne, who hasn't won in the majors since 2015, allowed one run in six innings while making a spot start. He and four relievers combined on a six-hitter. "They hung in there and kept us in it," manager Don Mattingly said.

Despite an injury-ravaged pitching staff, the Marlins have climbed into the NL wild-card race and trail Colorado by 4 1/2 games for the final playoff berth.

"It has been pretty fun," Rojas said. "This is a club put together to do this -- to get into the race for the playoffs, and we're doing it now."

The Marlins have won plenty of high-scoring games lately, with slugger Giancarlo Stanton leading the way, but the Padres kept him stuck on 49 homers. The major league home run leader singled twice and struck out twice in four at-bats.

Derek Dietrich led off the 11th with a double against Jose Torres (7-4). Dietrich advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and with the Padres deploying five infielders, Rojas hit a drive that forced right fielder Jabari Blash to retreat to make the catch, allowing Dietrich to score easily.

"With five guys in the infield I said, `I'm not going to hit a groundball right here. I'm just going to try to elevate something," Rojas said.

"I could have stuck 10 outfielders out there and they would have won it on the ball that was hit," Padres manager Andy Green said.

Miami slugger Marcell Ozuna hit his 31st homer in the fourth off the Marlins Park home run sculpture. Ichiro Suzuki singled for his 22nd pinch hit of the season , breaking the Marlins record set by Ross Gload in 2009.

Cory Spangenberg stole home on the front end of a double steal in the second inning for the Padres' run. Dinelson Lamet allowed one run in six innings, but San Diego was mathematically eliminated from the race for the NL West title with 33 games left.

With the score tied, the Marlins' Brian Ellington allowed a leadoff double in the seventh and then retired the next three batters. Junichi Tazawa (3-3) pitched around a leadoff single in the 10th.

CAT AND MOUSE 17

Green ordered Stanton intentionally walked with the game tied, runners at the corners and one out in the seventh, and the unorthodox move worked. Brad Hand struck out Christian Yelich and got Ozuna to fly out to end the threat.

"We thought we had a better chance against Yelich and Ozuna than Stanton with the infield drawn in," Green said. "That's a scary proposition."

Stanton has walked 65 times and said he's not attempting to guess whether teams will pitch to him.

"They're going to try everything now," he said. "That's the point, the little cat-and-mouse, the chess game. Sometimes when you'd think I'm not going to get pitched to, they're going to pitch to me, and vice versa. It depends how the game is going."

DOUBLING UP

The Padres pulled off a double steal to score their run. With two outs, runners at the corners and the pitcher at the plate, catcher Hector Sanchez took off for second, and Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto threw the ball into center field, allowing Spangenberg to score standing up.

Mattingly took the blame, saying he should have signaled for Realmuto not to throw in that situation.

"It was the wrong play on my end," Mattingly said. "They had the pitcher up. You know they'll do that. That cost us a run."

ROSTER MOVE

The Padres claimed RHP Tim Melville on waivers from the Minnesota Twins, and transferred RHP Miguel Diaz to the 60-day disabled list. Melville will join Triple-A El Paso's rotation, while Diaz (forearm) is expected to be activated soon.

UP NEXT

The Marlins will go for a series sweep when RHP Dan Straily (8-8, 3.83 ERA) starts Sunday against LHP Clayton Richard (6-12, 4.89), who is 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA in five career starts against Miami.

18