Jorge Alfaro hit a three-run pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give the San Diego Padres a 3-2 victory over his former team, the Miami Marlins, on Sunday.
Alfaro drove the ball deep into center field on the first pitch he saw from Cole Sulser (0-1), setting off a frenzy at Petco Park. He was purchased from the Marlins for cash in December.
Until the ninth inning, it looked like the Padres were headed for a second straight shutout. But Trent Grisham and CJ Abrams reached base before Alfaro, who tossed his bat aside and ran a hand over the words “Padres” on the front of his jersey before starting to walk the bases. It was his second home run.
Jazz Chisholm homered for the Marlins, who have lost seven of their last eight games.
Manny Machado extended his on-base streak to 18 games, but neither he nor Eric Hosmer — two of the best hitters this season — could hit San Diego’s pitchers hard.
For the Padres, Colombian Alfaro 1-1 with runs scored and three RBIs. The Venezuelan José Azocar 3-0.
For the Marlins, Venezuelans Jesús Aguilar 4-2 with a run scored, and Miguel Rojas 3-1. The Dominicans Jesús Sánchez 4-0, and Bryan De La Cruz 4-0. Cuban Jorge Soler 4-0.