OAKLAND, Calif. — Juan Soto homered twice, including his first career grand slam, and the San Diego Padres won their fourth straight game for the first time this season, beating the Oakland Athletics 10-1 on Sunday to sweep the series.
The Padres were the sole team in the major leagues this season that did not achieve a winning streak exceeding three games. As a result of their accomplishments, the A’s obtained another unfavorable record, with 103 losses this season, marking the highest number in franchise history since 1979.
San Diego manager Bob Melvin must do more than simply win four consecutive games in order to avoid being eliminated from the playoffs. The Padres currently trail by six games in the NL wild card race, with only 12 games remaining in the season.
Melvin expressed the need to emerge victorious in those situations, emphasizing their crucial importance.
In the seventh inning, Soto hit a home run that brought in two runs. In the following inning, he hit a grand slam, widening the lead and bringing his total number of home runs for the year to 32. This is just two short of his highest career record, which he achieved in 2019 while playing for the Nationals.
Soto expressed his satisfaction with his slam, stating that it felt fantastic. He mentioned that it was his first one and he was glad to have accomplished it.
PHOTOS: Soto’s 2 homers lead Padres to 1st 4-game winning streak and 10-1 win over Athletics
The outfielder, who is 24 years old, recovered from a sluggish beginning to the season and earned his third All-Star team selection. Soto sought advice from several players during his difficult period, and they advised him to persist in playing, assuring him that the statistics would eventually improve.
“That is the action I took, and ultimately, consider the current situation,” stated Soto.
Both starting pitchers threw three scoreless innings before being replaced – Joe Boyle for the A’s and Nick Martinez for the Padres. Pedro Avila (2-2) recorded the win for the Padres after making his first relief appearance in nearly a month.
Boyle made his major league debut after being acquired by the A’s for reliever Sam Moll at the trade deadline. Boyle started the season in Double-A but quickly rose through the ranks, making three starts at Triple-A Las Vegas for the A’s before being called up. The 24-year-old had four strikeouts in three innings – including twice striking out Fernando Tatis Jr. looking.
Mark Kotsay, the manager of team A, praised Boyle for his aggressive approach in throwing strikes and highlighted the importance of his breaking ball as a potential game-ending pitch.
Kotsay mentioned that today we observed a child displaying a sense of assurance.
However, the Padres had a strong performance against the relievers, recording 13 hits.
Ken Waldichuk (3-8), who replaced Boyle in the fourth inning, immediately gave up three straight hits. Luis Campusano knocked in Manny Machado with an RBI single. An infield single later in the inning by Eguy Rosario put the Padres up 2-0.
In the sixth inning, Matthew Batten extended the Padres’ advantage by scoring two runs with a single hit.
Brent Rooker hit a solo homer in the eighth for the A’s lone run.
FINAL HOMECOMING?
Sunday could have marked Padres manager Bob Melvin’s final game in Oakland as a manager, with the A’s planning to relocate to Las Vegas. Melvin, who helmed the A’s from 2011-21 and grew up in the Bay Area, circled this series on this calendar.
Melvin expressed his potential absence from the field, which could be disheartening. However, he mentioned the possibility of the A’s extending their lease at the Coliseum while a new ballpark is constructed in Las Vegas.
Melvin expressed that he had a “great” weekend and mentioned that the sweep “significantly improves” it.
TRAINER’S ROOM
The Padres decided not to include 2B Ha-Seong Kim in the lineup due to abdominal pain. A scan confirmed that it was not appendicitis, but Kim did not experience any improvement after the game and the exact cause of his discomfort was uncertain. It is worth noting that Kim had recently returned to the team on Saturday after injuring his ankle on Friday night.
Athletics: LHP Sean Newcomb was placed on the 15-day injured list with a sprained knee, effectively ending his season. Boyle took his spot on the roster. … OF JJ Bleday, who suffered a left knee sprain on Aug. 13, is expected to run the bases this week and could see a rehab assignment.
UP NEXT
Padres: Michael Wacha (11-4, 3.43 ERA) takes the mound when San Diego opens up a series at home against Colorado on Monday.
In the upcoming three-game home series against Seattle, JP Sears (5-11, 4.45 ERA) will be the starting pitcher for the Athletics.
