Padres get brutal taste of own medicine amid bullpen meltdown

The San Diego Padres, who had a record-tying month with their four-run plus comebacks, got a brutal taste of their medicine on Sunday as their bullpen collapsed in a 12-7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Mexico City Series finale at Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium. After building a 7-1 lead through six innings, San Diego surrendered 10 runs across the seventh and eighth innings, allowing Arizona to complete a stunning comeback and force a series split.

The Padres’ offense was led by Manny Machado, who hit two home runs and five RBIs. His first was a two-run shot in the third inning, followed by a three-run homer in the fifth that extended San Diego’s lead to six runs. Machado’s performance was his second career multihomer game in Mexico City, giving him four home runs at the venue, the most all-time in MLB international games held there. Luis Campusano also contributed with a solo home run and an RBI double.

Starter Michael King was effective, striking out eight batters while allowing just three hits and two runs over six innings. However, the game shifted immediately after his departure. Reliever David Morgan allowed a grand slam to Tim Tawa, cutting the lead to 7-6. Bradgley Rodriguez then gave up a two-run double to Lourdes Gurriel Jr., putting the Diamondbacks ahead 8-7.

Arizona continued its surge in the eighth inning against Ron Marinaccio, adding four more runs. Ildemaro Vargas led the Diamondbacks offense, going 3-for-5 with a home run, triple, and double, finishing a single shy of the cycle. His solo homer extended his hitting streak to 23 games, the longest in MLB since June 2024, and he has recorded a hit in all 20 games this season.

Arizona’s bullpen stabilized the game, with four relievers combining to allow just one run over the final four innings. Ryan Thompson earned the win with a scoreless seventh inning, while Rodriguez took the loss.

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