CINCINNATI — — Luis Arraez went 4-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs and the San Diego Padres beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 on Wednesday night.
He started with his first circuit of the season against Nick Martinez (1-3). It was his first home run since September 16, 2023, when he homered against Atlanta.
“It starts at the top with Arraez,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “What a magician he is with that bat in his hands. It’s really special.”
After being shut out in consecutive games, including the second game of Monday’s doubleheader at Atlanta, Shildt gave players a later arrival time at the stadium on Wednesday.
“Rest and hitting, we love it,” Shildt said. “It was intentional. We had a double bill, then a trip. We just decided today, given it’s a day game tomorrow, to be smart and save it for when the lights come on.
Arraez, who has 25 homers in 585 games, has seven career-leading homers. His presence in the lineup is even more critical for the Padres who will be without Xander Bogaerts due to a broken left shoulder.
“Since we’ve had Arraez at the top of the lineup, he’s made such a difference,” Padres third baseman Manny Machado said. “It’s impressive to have him on our team. He can hit a little bit.
Jeimer Candelario’s fifth homer of the season tied the score 1-1 in the first. It was the Reds’ only hit until Candelario singled with two outs in the sixth.
San Diego scored four runs on five hits in the fifth, including an RBI double from Jurickson Profar to make it 5-1.
“I like this second time where we put together some really good hitters,” Shildt said. “Just a well played game in all phases. Contribution throughout the lineup. Just fun stuff.
Tyler Stephenson’s two-run double off Michael King made it 7-3. King (4-4) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out six.
“Michael was great,” Shildt said. “Breaking the ball was awesome. Everything was really good.
The bottom of the ninth was played in a pouring rain with thunder and lightning, but Robert Suarez closed out the Padres’ victory without delay, striking out two.
Martinez allowed eight hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings.
“I had a lot of bad luck as a starter,” Martinez said. “I had a lot of soft contact that resulted in hits. Today I was facing a team that thrives on against-speed pitches.
TRAINERS ROOM
Padres: 2B Xander Bogaerts (left shoulder fracture) was placed on the 10-day injured list. He injured his shoulder diving for a ground ball in the first game of Monday’s doubleheader in Atlanta.
Reds: LHP Nick Lodolo (left groin strain) pitched a bullpen Wednesday and is on track to start Monday’s game against the Cardinals. … RF Jake Fraley was still dealing with stiffness in his right hand after being hit by a pitch from Joe Musgrove in the first inning Tuesday. Fraley will be evaluated over the next few days.
FOLLOWING
Reds right-hander Frankie Montas (2-3, 4.37) will face Padres right-hander Matt Waldron (2-5, 5.00) in the series finale.
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