Diamondbacks Strike Back, But Padres Strike Last Thanks to Machado’s Walk-off Blast

The Force was with them, the Force fled them and then the Force returned.

The Padres won 10-8 Friday on a walk-off home run by Manny Machado, but only after the Diamondbacks took a light saber to closer Robert Suarez in the top of the ninth, scoring six to turn a 7-2 Friar lead into an 8-7 deficit.

Half of the runs came off of Suarez, sent in to restore order after Enyel De Los Santos allowed Arizona to load the bases with one out. But on his first pitch to Alek Thomas, the centerfielder sent the ball out of the park for a grand slam, making the score 7-6.

It didn’t get better for Suarez, though he retired Geraldo Perdomo before Corbin Carroll doubled, bringing up pinch hitter Randal Grichuk. He had to watch as another Diamondback took him deep in the inning – upstairs in the Western Metal Supply Building, no less – giving Arizona their first lead in the game since the fourth.

After another single, manager Mike Shildt had enough, pulling Suarez for Stephen Kolek, who struck out Christian Walker to bring the agonizing frame to a close.

But it couldn’t end that way for the home team, not against the backdrop of Star Wars Weekend at Petco Park?

All-Star Jurickson Profar, apparently primed to give his team new hope, agreed, striking immediately as he led off the Friars’ half of the ninth. On a 3-2 count, his solo shot to center tied it up 8-8.

Jake Cronenworth, up next, walked, and up marched Machado, already having a good night, with three hits, including a double, and two runs.

Down 0-2, he added a homer and two RBIs to the tally, setting off an explosive celebration before he even reached first base as he shut the door on the Diamondbacks, who failed to record an out after their big ninth-inning rally.

“The fight is always there,” Machado told the Padres broadcast team post-game. “That’s what we showed tonight.”

It was even there for Suarez, who had told Shildt before the game that he was available despite having pitched two consecutive days. His manager didn’t want to turn to him, but once De Los Santos got into trouble, he felt he had no choice.

“Ball still came out good, 98, 99 (mph), you know, they just boom, ambushed him early on,” he said.

So if the Force is to remain with the Padres Saturday, perhaps a lengthy outing will be in the cards for starter Matt Waldron as he takes the mound.