AP Photo/Gregory Bull
In a thrilling finish at Petco Park, Parker Meadows delivered a dramatic grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning, propelling the Detroit Tigers to a stunning 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on September 5, 2024. This victory not only prevented the Tigers from being swept in the three-game series but also kept their playoff hopes alive.
Game Overview
The game was a tense battle, with the Padres initially taking control. They built a 3-0 lead by the second inning, thanks to a solo home run by Jurickson Profar and a two-run shot from Xander Bogaerts. Profar’s homer, his 22nd of the season, came in the first inning, while Bogaerts’ eighth homer followed a double by Jake Cronenworth in the second inning.
Despite the early deficit, the Tigers remained determined. Starting pitcher Casey Mize struggled, lasting only 5 1/3 innings and allowing three runs on six hits. However, the Tigers’ bullpen held the Padres scoreless for the remainder of the game, setting the stage for a comeback.
The Dramatic Comeback
As the ninth inning unfolded, the Tigers found themselves down to their last strike. Justyn-Henry Malloy opened the inning with a single, followed by a walk to Jace Jung. After Spencer Torkelson popped out, Colt Keith drew another walk, loading the bases.
With two outs, Meadows of Tigers faced Padres closer Robert Suarez, who had been effective throughout the game. On a full count, Meadows connected with a 100.7 mph fastball, sending it into the second row of the left-field seats for his first career grand slam.
The ball traveled an estimated 361 feet, marking an important moment in the game and sending the Tigers’ dugout into celebration. This grand slam was notable as it was the first of its kind in MLB history to come with two outs and two strikes while down three runs in the ninth inning or later since Justin Smoak did it in 2018.
Pitching Performances
While Meadows stole the spotlight, the Tigers’ bullpen played a crucial role in the victory. Ricky Vanasco earned his first major league win by pitching a scoreless eighth inning, while Tyler Holton secured his seventh save by retiring the Padres in the ninth. On the other side, Padres starter Martin Pérez had a strong outing, throwing 6 1/3 shutout innings and striking out five, but his team could not hold onto the lead.
Post-Game Reactions
After the game, Meadows expressed his excitement and the team’s fighting spirit, stating, “Never count us out. You have seen it all year, and we were able to do it again tonight, so it was pretty fun.” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch praised his team, emphasizing their determination to keep fighting until the end. The victory improved the Tigers’ record to 71-70, keeping them within five games of the Kansas City Royals for the final American League wild card spot.
Meanwhile, the Padres fell to 80-62, ending their three-game winning streak and remaining three games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top wild card position in the National League. As the season progresses, both teams face critical matchups ahead, with the Tigers looking to build on this momentum in their upcoming series against the Oakland Athletics.
