Hosmer hoists Padres to 7-2 victory over D-backs on opening night

The San Diego Padres put together a string of impressive plate appearances in the latter half of the game, combined with 1B Eric Hosmer’s explosive batting, to earn a 7-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in their 2020 home opener.

D-backs starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner started strong with back-to-back Ks in the bottom of the first. The duel between him and Chris Paddack was close to a stalemate through the first five innings before the floodgates broke loose in the sixth.

San Diego fans can thank Hosmer for that.

With one out in the inning, SS Fernando Tatis Jr. smacked a double to get the Padres in scoring position. 3B Manny Machado grounded out to make things interesting with LF Tommy Pham up next. Pham and 2B Jurickson Profar were then each walked, leaving the bases loaded for Hosmer. The 31-year old went on to take Bumgarner to deep right field, ricocheting off the wall and sending everyone home before settling at second base, giving the Padres a 3-0 lead.

In retaliation, RF Calhoun cranked a solo home run off of Emilio Pagan in the top of the seventh to inch Arizona back within two runs.

On the other side of the inning, Hosmer and the offense exploded once more, scoring four more runs to take a 7-1 lead. Padres fans were treated to an incredible moment of deja vu after the bases were loaded once more following two singles by both CF Trent Grisham and Pham and Profar being walked for the second time on the night. With ice in his veins, Hosmer doubled once more, sending this one to left field and bringing all runners home.

Hosmer finished the night going 3-of-4 at the plate with two doubles and six RBIs. Tatis Jr. also chipped in a double while finishing 1-of-4 and scoring two runs.

Arizona’s final run scored on the evening came in the top of the ninth when 1B Christian Walker placed a single right in front of the Grisham which brought CF Starling Marte home.

Baumgarner finished with 5.2 IP, allowing four hits, three runs, and striking out four batters. Paddack earned his first win of the 2020 season, finishing with 6.0 IP, four hits allowed, and four strikeouts, as well.