Padres Edge Marlins 4-2 Behind Rengifo's Late Heroics

Late Power Lifts San Diego

Xavier Rengifo provided the decisive blow in the eighth inning, launching a two-run home run to right field that secured a 4-2 win for the San Diego Padres against the Miami Marlins. The victory extended San Diego's advantage in the series as they improved their record to 51-53, while Miami fell to .500 at 52-52.

The game remained tightly contested through the middle innings, with momentum shifting multiple times. Miami took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Manuel Margot homered to right field, measuring 399 feet. The Padres responded in the fourth, tying the game at 1-1 when Jurickson Profar scored on a play where Fernando Tatis Jr. lined out to right field.

Errors and Equalizers

The fifth inning proved pivotal for both sides. San Diego reclaimed the lead, 2-1, when Manny Machado singled to left field. Xander Bogaerts scored on a fielding error by Miami left fielder Jesús Aguilar, and Machado advanced to second while Jake Cronenworth reached third on the same miscue.

Miami answered immediately in the same frame. Aguilar homered to center field, a 423-foot shot that tied the score at 2-2.

The Marlins' pitching staff worked to keep the game tied, but a late defensive lapse proved costly. In the eighth, Rengifo connected on a 361-foot home run to right field, driving in Luis Campusano to put San Diego ahead 4-2. The Padres' bullpen maintained the lead in the final frames to preserve the win.

Pitching Performances

San Diego utilized a six-man pitching rotation to secure the victory. Adrian Morejon earned the win, pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief with two strikeouts. Mason Miller recorded his 26th save, retiring the side in the ninth with one strikeout.

German Marquez started for the Padres, working 2 1/3 innings and allowing one earned run on three hits with four strikeouts. Kyle Hart contributed 2.0 innings of hitless relief, while Wandy Peralta pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run, and Bradgley Rodriguez closed out the early innings with 0 2/3 scoreless frames.

Miami's starting pitcher Ryan Gusto worked 3 1/3 innings, giving up one earned run on two hits with four strikeouts. However, the Marlins' bullpen struggled to contain the Padres' offense. Tyler Zuber took the loss after pitching 0 2/3 innings and allowing two earned runs on two hits.

Cade Gibson, Michael Petersen, Lake Bachar, and John King also appeared in relief, with Calvin Faucher recording the final out of the game.

Final Notes

The game was played at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, before a crowd of 16,151 fans. The three home runs in the contest included those by Margot, Aguilar, and Rengifo. With the loss, Miami's record dropped to 52-52, while San Diego improved to 51-53.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816242