The Arizona Diamondbacks rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the San Diego Padres 12-7 in a Major League Baseball season opener in Mexico City on Sunday.
It was the second game between these teams played at the Alfredo Harp Helú stadium, which is located at 2,240 meters above sea level. In the first game, last Saturday, San Diego won 6-4.
Padres impose their early power with a commanding lead
San Diego moved the scoreboard in the top of the second inning with a double by Dominican-American Luis Campusano.
One inning later, the Padres offense hurt the Diamondbacks again thanks to Dominican Manny Machado’s first complete game comebacker in this game in Mexico.
He took out compatriot Fernando Tatís to extend the lead to 3-0.
In the fifth, Machado gave another display of his power:
He hit a high fly ball out of the park for the second time to drive in two men and make the score 6-0.
Arizona answered in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run by Venezuelan Jose Fernandez that brought them within 6-1.
In the top of the sixth Campusano greeted Kevin Ginkel, reliever Ryne Nelson, with San Diego’s third home run of the game for a 7-1 lead.
Diamondbacks unleash brutal comeback
The rain of home runs continued in the closing of the sixth chapter thanks to Venezuelan Ildemaro Vargas with a solo blast that brought the Diamondbacks within 7-2.
Arizona got back into the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with a full house home run by Tim Tawa off reliever David Morgan to cut the score to 7-6.
In the first game, San Diego won 6-4
QuéOnnda.com
The turnaround for the Diamondbacks, 8-7, came via a hit by Cuban-American Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
He struck out Idelmaro Vargas and Corbin Carroll, before Venezuelan reliever Bradgley Rodríguez, a 22-year-old rookie.
One chapter later, Arizona sealed the game with a triple by Ildemaro Vargas that sent José Fernández, Nolan Arenado and Alek Thomas to the plate to make it 11-7.
The lead was extended 12-7 with a single by Ketel Martel that sent Vargas home.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
