Tatis launches 3-run bomb for Padres on way to 5-1 win over Royals

const iframe document getElementById newspack-iframe-bpTy ZDqQaPa const timerId setInterval function iframe src iframe src iframe onload function clearInterval timerId The Padres picked up a much-needed win on Saturday defeating the Kansas City Royals - in the second match of a three-day series at Petco Park The squad has now won two of its last three after losing four of its previous five The achievement came mainly thanks to the bat of Fernando Tatis Jr He broke the championship open in the seventh inning with a bomb of a three-run homer to left centerfield driving in Jose Iglesias and Bryce Johnson The homer the th of the year for Tatis broke his streak of plate appearances without one dating back to May Not only did the Padres strike last they also struck first They went up - in the second after Gavin Sheets who had been on second scored courtesy of a ground ball by Jake Cronenworth The Royals - fast struck back during the bottom half of the inning when John Rave doubled on a sharp line drive to right field that allowed Drew Waters who had been on first to round the bases and tie the total But that turned out to be all she wrote for the Royals offense San Diego - took a - lead in the bottom of the third when Luis Arraez singled on a groundball to centerfield that allowed Mart n Maldonado to get home from second Xander Bogaerts finished with two hits one in the second and another in the eighth giving him hits in his last at-bats dating back to Wednesday He was the only participant in the championship with multiple hits Also playing a big part in the triumph was solid pitching by Dylan Cease - who not only held the Royals to one run but also just three hits during his time on the mound as well as three walks and four strikeouts He exited after six and two-thirds innings pulled for Jeremiah Estrada By going nearly seven innings Cease was able to relieve selected pressure on San Diego s bullpen which had been heavily utilized in latest weeks something that played a part in the gang s sub- won-loss record this month Tatis took the pressure off too giving the Friars a cushion In a post-game interview the slugger called his homer huge what we needed as a association to give a break to our bullpen Despite Saturday s win the Padres still have dropped of games so far in June Their three-game series against the Royals is tied at one challenge apiece with the rubber match taking place at p m Sunday San Diego then welcomes the Nationals for another three-game series before getting their first day off in two weeks on Thursday They ll then hit the road for a three-game set at Cincinnati and Philadelphia Notes Before the event outfielder Jason Heyward was designated for assignment Heyward had been on the injured list with a left oblique strain since May Also right-handed pitcher Bryan Hoeing was activated from the -day injured list He had been out since late March due to a right shoulder strain To make room for him on the roster San Diego optioned RHP Sean Reynolds to Triple A El Paso