Padres Comeback Falls Short

Dramatic late home runs give hope, then despair

The Padres have made a habit of winning games with late-inning magic lately. Sunday afternoon in Miami they pulled another rabbit out of their hat, then watched as the Marlins used that strategy against them.

The Marlins got a 3-run, walkoff homer from shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to win 5-2 and avoid getting swept out of their own building. The big blast came off Padres reliever Brandon Maurer, who walked two batters to set the table for Hechavarria.

Had it not been for another unlikely comeback, that situation would have never developed. Miami had a 2-0 lead in the 9th inning when catcher Derek Norris, who seems to be in the middle of every big rally lately, rapped a leadoff single. Two batters later shortstop Alexi Amarista, the most unlikely non-pitcher on the field to go deep, went deep to tie the game 2-2.

Amarista was oh-for-25 entering the game and only had five hits in the entire month of July. On Sunday he had a triple and a home run and get starter James Shields a no-decision.

Shields gave up two runs in the first inning but only allowed two baserunners over the next five innings. He was bested by Miami ace Jose Fernandez, who struck out 10 in 6.0 innings and has never lost at Marlins Park.

The Padres head to Milwaukee to start a 4-game set on Monday. The Brewers are 20-33 at Miller Park, giving them the worst home record in the Major Leagues. Tyson Ross gets the start against Wily Peralta.

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