The New York Yankees were one strike away from escaping San Diego with a dramatic extra-inning win. Instead, one swing changed everything.
Luis Campusano crushed a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th inning Friday night, lifting the San Diego Padres to a 3-2 victory over the Yankees in front of a packed crowd at Petco Park.
The Yankees had taken their first lead of the night just moments earlier.
Spencer Jones opened the top of the 10th with a sharp single against Padres reliever Mason Miller, who fired a 100-mph fastball. Jones’ hit put New York ahead 2-1 and briefly gave the Yankees control of the game.
But San Diego answered immediately.
Paul Blackburn entered the bottom of the inning looking to protect the lead. After recording the first out, he threw a sinker that caught too much of the plate. Campusano was ready for it, sending the ball deep into left field and ending the game on the spot.
The loss was particularly painful for Blackburn, who had been nearly untouchable recently. He had not surrendered a run over his previous 13⅓ innings and had gone without allowing a homer since July 29.
“Definitely stings,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the game, while continuing to express confidence in Blackburn.
The Yankees had received strong pitching throughout the night.
Max Fried kept San Diego’s offense under control, working efficiently and repeatedly attacking the strike zone. Will Warren then followed with 2⅓ scoreless innings, allowing only one baserunner and strengthening his case for a potential postseason bullpen role.
San Diego’s relievers were equally impressive.
Adrian Morejon struck out all three batters he faced in the eighth inning. Miller followed in the ninth and added two more strikeouts, including a 102-mph fastball that overwhelmed Cody Bellinger.
The Padres also had a chance to finish the game in the ninth. A double and a passed ball put the potential winning run at third, but David Bednar escaped the threat by striking out Austin Hays and forcing extra innings.
San Diego scored first in the second inning when Xander Bogaerts dropped a bloop single into the outfield.
New York responded in the third. Ben Rice launched a towering 444-foot home run to center field, his 36th homer of the season, tying the game at 1-1.
The Yankees eventually grabbed the lead in the 10th, but Campusano’s final swing erased all of their late-game momentum.
For New York, it was a frustrating ending to a game in which its pitching staff and young players repeatedly delivered under pressure.
For San Diego, it was another dramatic home-field finish as the Padres improved to 74-67.
The Yankees will now look to put Friday night’s disappointment behind them and respond in the next game of the series.
