Slam Diego is back, thanks to Xander Bogaerts. He ended the longest game at Petco Park in nearly five years with a walk-off grand slam. The Padres secured a 7-3 victory over the Rockies.
Bogaerts’ Decisive Hit
It’s Bogaerts’ second walk-off home run as a Padre. He delivered the first walk-off grand slam by any Padre since Manny Machado in August 2020. That was the week the Slam Diego moniker was born.
The Rockies chose to walk Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado. They opted to pitch to Bogaerts with the bases loaded. Bogaerts then turned on a Valente Bellozo fastball, sending it into the left-field seats.
Key Plays Leading to the Win
Jake Cronenworth made an outstanding play in the top half of the 12th. He fielded a sharp ground ball backhanded and threw home to get Willi Castro at the plate. Luis Campusano applied a strong tag.
Campusano’s two-out RBI double in the 11th prolonged the game.
Extra Innings Back and Forth
The Rockies took the lead in the top of the 10th inning. Tyler Freeman hit an RBI single through the right side. The Padres responded, tying the game in the bottom of the frame on Machado’s sacrifice fly.
Brett Sullivan put Colorado ahead in the top of the 11th with a leadoff double. This plated the automatic runner. Campusano then answered, setting the stage for the dramatic 12th inning.
Slam Diego is back in style.