Luis Arraez made a striking debut for the Padres following his transfer from Miami, securing four hits and driving in a run. Ha-Seong Kim added to the spectacle with a three-run homer in a pivotal seventh inning where the Padres tallied eight runs, propelling them to a commanding 13-1 victory over the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.Just before the game, the Padres orchestrated a significant trade, bringing Arraez from the Marlins along with nearly $7.9 million in exchange for four players. Despite his last-minute inclusion in the team, Arraez left an immediate impact, going 4 for 6 and crossing the plate twice.
Padres manager Micke Shildt remarked, “Arraez displayed an exceptional approach at the plate, showcasing why he’s nicknamed ‘The Sprinkler.’ He possesses an artistic ability to hit to all parts of the field. It was truly impressive to witness. What a talent.”Arraez wasn’t the sole standout for the Padres at Chase Field.Jurickson Profar smashed a two-run homer in the seventh inning, contributing to his four-hit performance, while Kim followed suit with a three-run blast. Manny Machado chipped in with three RBIs, and Michael King (3-3) pitched six solid innings, conceding only six singles in the Padres’ season-high fourth consecutive win.
The Padres amassed a total of 18 hits.King expressed his admiration for Arraez, stating, “He injects energy into the team, proves tough to retire, and consistently finds a way to reach base. It’s thrilling to witness him play alongside our talented roster.”The Diamondbacks are eager to turn the page on this challenging week.Arizona faced early setbacks with two players tagged out at first base in the first inning and struggled to advance runners beyond second base until Gabriel Moreno’s ninth-inning single brought in a run. Since their 4-3 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday, the NL champion Diamondbacks have been outscored 28-2 and have suffered seven losses in their last nine games.
“It’s evident that we’re encountering obstacles right now, and things haven’t been going our way,” observed Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. “We’re putting in the effort, but sometimes, despite our best attempts, outcomes don’t align with our plans. We need to navigate these challenging times and find ways to secure victories.”Arraez initiated his Padres debut by smashing a double on the second pitch thrown by Brandon Pfaadt (1-2), sending it into the right corner. He later scored on Machado’s single, contributing to San Diego’s 32nd first-inning run this season, the second-highest in the majors after Philadelphia’s 37.
