Arraez has 4 hits, including a leadoff homer, and Padres beat Reds 7-3
San Diego Padres' Luis Arraez is congratulated in the dugout after his home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
CINCINNATI (AP) — Luis Arraez went 4 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs and the San Diego Padres beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 on Wednesday night.
He led off with his first homer of the season off Nick Martinez (1-3). It was his first home run since Sept. 16, 2023 when he hit a leadoff homer against Atlanta.
San Diego Padres' Luis Arraez runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
“It starts at the top with Arraez," Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “What a magician he is with that bat in his hands. It's really special.”
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez throws to a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
After being shut out in consecutive games including the second game of Monday’s doubleheader in Atlanta, Shildt allowed the players a later arrival time to the ballpark on Wednesday.
“Rest and hits, we love that,” Shildt said. “It was intentional. We had a doubleheader, then travel. We just decided today, being a day game tomorrow, be smart, save it for when the lights come on.”
Arraez, who has 25 home runs in 585 games, has seven leadoff homers for his career. His presence in the lineup is even more critical for the Padres who will be without Xander Bogaerts due to a fractured left shoulder.
“Since we have Arraez at the top of the lineup, he makes such a difference," Padres third baseman Manny Machado said. "It has been impressive having him on our team. He can hit a little bit.”
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez throws to a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Jeimer Candelario's fifth home run of the season tied the score 1-1 in the first. That was the Reds' only hit until Candelario singled with two outs in the sixth.
San Diego scored four runs on five hits in the fifth, including an RBI double by Jurickson Profar to make the score 5-1.
“I like that second time through we strung together some really good at-bats," Shildt said. "Just a well-played game in all phases. Contribution throughout the lineup. Just fun stuff.”
Cincinnati Reds' Jeimer Candelario hits a home run against the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Tyler Stephenson's two-run double off Michael King made the score 7-3. King (4-4) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out six.
“Michael was great,” Shildt said. “Breaking ball was great. Everything was really good.”
The bottom of the ninth was played in heavy rain with thunder and flashes of lightning, but Robert Suarez closed out the Padres' win without a delay, striking out two.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King throws to a Cincinnati Reds batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Martinez gave up eight hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings.
San Diego Padres' Jurickson Profar, right, and Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz shake hands at second base during a pitching change in the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
“I’ve had a lot of bad luck as a starter," Martinez said. "I’ve had a lot of soft contact that fall in for hits. Today I (was facing) a lineup that feeds off off-speed pitches.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. catches a fly ball hit by Cincinnati Reds Will Benson during the sixth inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Padres: 2B Xander Bogaerts (left shoulder fracture) was placed on the 10-day injured list. He injured his shoulder diving for a ground ball in the first game of Monday's doubleheader at Atlanta.
Reds: LHP Nick Lodolo (left groin strain) threw a bullpen on Wednesday and is on track to start Monday's game against the Cardinals. ... RF Jake Fraley was still experiencing stiffness in his right hand after being hit by a Joe Musgrove pitch in the first inning on Tuesday. Fraley will be evaluated over the next couple of days.
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UP NEXT
Reds right-hander Frankie Montas (2-3, 4.37) will oppose Padres right-hander Matt Waldron (2-5, 5.00) in the series finale.
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