Upton's homer powers Padres in 12 innings
PHOENIX -- Justin Upton returned to Chase Field in another different uniform and did what does best on Saturday: beat the D-backs, his former team. Upton led off the 12th inning with his eighth homer of the season, helping the Padres to a 6-4 win in a game they almost squandered.
"I'm just going out and playing the game the best I can, that's about it, man," said Upton, whose homer on a fastball off D-backs reliever Randall Delgado was the second off the right-hander to win a game this season. "I'm just having fun going out there and playing."
The Padres had come from behind to take a 4-2 lead with two runs in the eighth and another in the ninth. Padres closer Craig Kimbrel had two out in the D-backs half of the ninth and a 1-2 count on Jordan Pacheco when the D-backs struck. Pacheco walked, Aaron Hill smacked a pinch-hit single and pinch-hitter Danny Dorn, a career Minor Leaguer until this season, doubled them both in to tie the score at 4. With that, Kimbrel's streak of 35 consecutive saves came to an end. Dorn was optioned back to Triple-A Reno after the game.
Video: SD@ARI: Dorn rips game-tying double to right in 9th
The Padres' comeback spoiled another decent outing from D-backs right-hander Chase Anderson, who has been looking for his first victory of the season after winning 11 times last year, his rookie year with the club.
Both Anderson and Padres starter Tyson Ross were extremely effective, but neither were around for the decision. Anderson went seven innings, holding the Padres to a single run on five hits, the lone run scoring on Matt Kemp's sacrifice fly in the first. He left leading, 2-1.
"I stuck to my game plan, got early outs and was able to go deep in the game," Anderson said. "As a starting pitcher that's what you want to do, and give your team a chance to win the game."
Video: SD@ARI: Anderson pitches seven frames of one-run ball
Ross worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out six. He had a no-hitter going with two out in the fourth when Paul Goldschmidt singled.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Upton's homer heroics: It's not the first time Upton has returned to Arizona since he was traded to the Braves prior to the 2013 season. In his first game back with the Braves on May 13, 2013, Upton went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer in a 10-1 win. This is his first trip here in a San Diego uniform. Overall, Upton has hit 70 homers and knocked in 227 runs at Chase in any uniform. More >
No relief: The Padres struck quickly against the D-backs' bullpen after Anderson left. Lefty Oliver Perez gave up a leadoff double to Jedd Gyorko and was removed for Brad Ziegler. Ziegler briefly held the lead by retiring Kemp and Upton before Yangervis Solarte and Derek Norris blooped in back-to-back doubles. Three D-backs relievers combined to give up two runs on three hits and two walks in the eighth.
Video: SD@ARI: Norris laces go-ahead double to right field
Missed opportunities: The Padres had chances to add on runs in the first, fourth and fifth, but stranded three runners in scoring position. They stranded five runners in all in the first five innings. The Padres also left the bases loaded in the eighth.
And about runners in scoring position: Yasmany Tomas had two big chances to pad the D-backs' lead, but Ross struck him out looking in both the fourth and sixth. Tomas left four runners on the sacks, two in each inning. He was replaced defensively at third base by Cliff Pennington to start the seventh.
Video: SD@ARI: Ross strikes out six over six in no-decision
QUOTABLE
"Justin showed why he is who he is and why he gets paid what he gets paid," -- D-backs manager Chip Hale said of Upton
"What a heck of a game. What a heck of a wn. All of us have been on the other side of those and you know how those feel. Those are tough ones. Those are gutwrenchers. But man, our guys hung in there," -- Padres manager Bud Black
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Padres have never had a no-hitter or cycle in club history. When Will Venable came within a double of a cycle on Friday night, it was the eighth time since he came up to the Majors in 2008 that he's missed it by a single hit. But the club record is held by none other than Tony Gwynn, who missed the cycle by a hit 22 times in his 20-year career, all with the Padres. By the way, it would have been Mr. Padre's 55th birthday on Saturday. He passed away from complications of cancer this past June 16.
WHAT'S NEXT
Padres: The Padres close their four-game series against the D-backs at Chase Field on Sunday with a Mother's Day special, starting at 1:10 p.m. PT. Andrew Cashner gets the start. He's 1-5, but deserves better with a 3.16 ERA.
D-backs: The D-backs will wrap up the four-game weekend series against the Padres at 1:10 p.m. Sunday. Arizona will use a to-be-determined spot starter in place of Archie Bradley (sinus fractures).
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