Tommy Pham hit a go-ahead single in the 10th inning after Trent Grisham began at second base under baseball’s new extra-innings rule, and the San Diego Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 12-7 on Thursday night.
Pinch-hitter Greg Garcia added a key two-run single against Tyler Rogers (1-2) in the big six-run 10th.
“It’s definitely differernt. Right now we feel good about it because of course we won,” Pham said. “Before the season started I wasn’t a fan of it just because I’m more traditional but like anything in life you have to adapt.”
Padres manager Jayce Tingler is slowly becoming more fond of the extra-innings rule, too.
“Yeah, you can call me a fan of that,” Tingler said. “I’ve obviously seen it a lot on the minor league side and I think I said before I didn’t initially like it. The more I see it, totally good with it. It doesn’t really matter what we think, we’ve got it.”
Mike Yastrzemski hit an RBI triple and Donovan Solano delivered a tying sacrifice fly two batters later as the Padres’ bullpen couldn’t hold a late lead for the second straight game. Yastrzemski’s walkoff splash homer into McCovey Cove sent San Francisco to a 7-6 victory Wednesday night.
Pierce Johnson (1-0) recorded four outs for the win.
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Tingler said before the game watching the bullpen give it up Wednesday “was a rough one and it’s maybe the first time we’ve been punched in the face so in a sick way I’m kind of excited to see how we will respond.”
Jurickson Profar hit a two-run homer and RBI single for San Diego, which wasted a solid day from starter Dinelson Lamet. He struck out seven in five innings to give the San Diego right-hander 15 Ks over his first two outings.
San Diego has won seven of its last 11 series in San Francisco and two in a row dating to late last season.
The Giants had their first try at the new rule after the ninth.
“I think it’s an interesting twist,” manager Gabe Kapler said.
WELCOME BACK
The Giants welcomed back two key members of their infield with first baseman Brandon Belt and third baseman Evan Longoria being activated from the 10-day injured list to make their season debuts and bat fourth and fifth, respectively.
The players didn’t face live hitting before coming off the injured list.
“Nothing about this year’s all that normal,” Longoria said with a grin when asked about no rehab assignment.
PENCE’S STRUGGLES
Hunter Pence is 0 for 17 with four strikeouts over five games making four starts. He wasn’t in the lineup Thursday night but entered to pinch run in the ninth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: 1B Eric Hosmer missed his second straight game and fourth overall with a stomach illness that the team said isn’t coronavirus-related. “We were hoping he would feel better,” Tingler said. “His stomach, he’s still struggling. Our medical team is still checking him out, hoping he starts to turn for the better. It’s been kind of off and on, feeling much better and unfortunately he’s not right now.”
Giants: Longoria said he’s confident the worst of his right oblique strain is behind him and he feels he can play freely while likely dealing with some soreness. “It’s always tough to be out and not have an opportunity to play,” Longoria said. “I feel great, as healthy as I’m going to get at this point. I don’t feel like I rushed back.”
ROSTER MOVES
To clear room for Belt (right Achilles tendinitis) and Longoria to return, the Giants optioned OFs Jaylin Davis and Joe McCarthy to their alternate site in San Jose and designated RHP Dany Jimenez for assignment. Kapler said in his meeting with Davis on Wednesday night, he told the outfielder: “We believe in you. We support you. We’re never going to stop communicating with you.” Kapler added, ”he’s a step away from the major leagues at any given time and we still believe he’s going to make an important impact on this club.” ... OF Steven Duggar was recalled from San Jose and started in right field.
UP NEXT
RHP Garrett Richards (0-0, 0.00 ERA) pitches for San Diego to start a series Friday night at Coors Field in Denver as the Rockies host their home opener. Richards worked five scoreless innings allowing one hit Sunday against Arizona. The Giants hadn’t listed a starter for their series opener Friday at home facing the Texas Rangers, who lost to San Francisco in the 2010 World Series. The Giants last hosted the Rangers from Aug. 24-26, 2018.
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