Solarte Plates Three As Padres Hang On To Beat Mets
NEW YORK (AP) — Hunter Renfroe snapped an eighth-inning tie with a titanic home run, Brad Hand pitched out of a huge jam in the ninth and the San Diego Padres took advantage of a floundering New York Mets bullpen in rallying for a 6-5 victory Wednesday night.
New York loaded the bases with nobody out against Hand on two singles and a walk. But the left-hander struck out Curtis Granderson and Rene Rivera on breaking balls before Juan Lagares flied out to end it.
An excited Hand pounded his glove after holding on for his third major league save and first this season.
After trailing by four, the Padres pulled even when Wil Myers rocketed a two-run single off the top of the right-center fence in the seventh. His drive came on the second and final pitch from reliever Neil Ramirez, who entered after Fernando Salas loaded the bases on a single and two walks — all with two outs.
Yangervis Solarte had an RBI single and a two-run double for the Padres (17-31), who won for the second time in eight games. They began the day with the worst record in the majors.
Ryan Buchter (3-2) worked a hitless inning for the win.
Mets rookie Robert Gsellman gave New York six solid innings in his return to the rotation. He was pulled for a pinch hitter with a 5-3 lead after throwing 84 pitches.
The scuffling right-hander had his turn skipped last weekend and had come out of the bullpen in his past two appearances.
Leading off the eighth, Renfroe sent a soaring drive deep into the second deck in left field for his ninth home run. He connected on a 3-1 fastball from Josh Smoker (0-2), who was recalled from the minors Tuesday.
Wilmer Flores hit a three-run double in the third for the Mets, and Granderson followed with an RBI single. Michael Conforto added an RBI single in the fourth.
San Diego starter Jarred Cosart allowed four runs, four hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings. He has gone 20 appearances since his last major league win, for Miami in September 2015.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: Rookie CF Manuel Margot exited in the third with tightness in his lower right leg. He was replaced by Matt Szczur, who reached base three times and scored two runs. ... C Austin Hedges was rested in favor of backup Luis Torrens, who doubled, singled and scored twice from the No. 8 spot in the lineup. Hedges fouled out as a pinch hitter to end the eighth and remained in the game behind the plate. ... Before the game, manager Andy Green said Margot and Renfroe will probably both get a day off on the current road trip, which ends this weekend in Washington.
Mets: SS Asdrubal Cabrera (sprained left thumb) was set to begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton, which played a doubleheader against Richmond. Cabrera was supposed to play Tuesday night for Binghamton, but the game was postponed by rain. ... RF Jay Bruce sat out after leaving Tuesday's game with tightness in his back. Bruce said he fully expects to play Thursday night. ... New York reinstated catcher Travis d'Arnaud from the disabled list and placed LHP Tommy Milone on the 10-day DL with a sprained left knee.
UP NEXT
The rebuilding Padres plan to call up RHP Dinelson Lamet to start the series finale Thursday night in place of injured Jered Weaver. It will be the major league debut for Lamet, who is 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA in eight starts at Triple-A El Paso. "Looking forward to watching Lamet go show his big league stuff," Green said. "I know we're excited about that." Jacob deGrom (3-1, 3.56) pitches for the Mets. He threw seven innings last Friday in a 3-0 win over the Angels and has a 1.97 ERA in 42 career starts at Citi Field.
(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
