Jake Cronenworth belts grand slam to lead Padres over Reds

Field Level Media|published: Wed 1st May, 18:56 2024

May 1, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) celebrates after hitting a grand slam home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at Petco Park. credits: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Cronenworth hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the seventh inning to help the San Diego Padres win the rubber contest of the three-game series 6-2 against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon.

Jurickson Profar went 4-for-4 in the leadoff spot with two RBIs and a run scored for the Padres, who beat the Reds 6-4 on Tuesday to snap a five-game losing streak.

Padres starter Joe Musgrove allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, striking out a season-high nine batters without a walk.

Spencer Steer homered for Cincinnati.

Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft allowed two runs, both unearned, and five hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Fernando Cruz (1-2) relieved Ashcraft to start the seventh and gave up a bunt single to No. 9 hitter Tyler Wade before Profar delivered his fourth hit of the game, a line-drive single into right-center field that put runners on the corners with one out.

After a walk loaded the bases, Cronenworth lined the first pitch he saw over the fence in right for a grand slam and a 6-2 lead.

Speer hit a two-out solo homer in the first inning to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.

Reds center fielder Stuart Fairchild leaped to rob Manny Machado of a three-run homer in the bottom half of the first.

The Padres scored two unearned runs in the fourth to move ahead 2-1.

Jackson Merrill hit a slow roller to Jonathan India at second with one out and he flipped the ball from his glove to first baseman Jeimer Candelario, who dropped it for an error.

Ha-Seong Kim followed with a single to center before Wade grounded into a fielder's choice, putting runners on the corners. After Wade stole second, Profar lined a single to left, scoring both runners for a 2-1 lead.

Santiago Espinal doubled into the left-field corner on a full-count pitch to lead off the fifth. Candelario then dropped a single into right field to score Espinal and tie it 2-2.

Yuki Matsui relieved Musgrove to start the seventh and walked two of the first three batters, but Enyel De Los Santos (1-1) came in and struck out Luke Maile to end the threat.

—Field Level Media