DeLuca's Ninth-Inning Homer, Mateo's Walk-Off Lift Rays Over Padres
Source: ABC30 Fresno Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays delivered another late-inning masterpiece on Sunday, rallying past the San Diego Padres 5-4 in 11 innings to complete a three-game sweep in front of a buzzing crowd at Tropicana Field. The win was fueled by a stunning ninth-inning comeback and a walk-off single from Jorge Mateo.
With the Padres leading 3-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, closer Mason Miller looked poised to lock down his 33rd save. He had two outs and nobody on when Jonny DeLuca stepped to the plate. DeLuca drove a 1-2 pitch deep to left field. Padres left fielder Samad Taylor sprinted to the wall, leapt, and appeared to make the catch. But as he crashed into the fence, the ball jarred loose from his glove and tumbled over the barrier for a game-tying two-run home run. The crowd erupted as the score became 3-3.
Miller, who had been nearly untouchable all season, has now allowed home runs in consecutive games after surrendering none in his first 53 appearances. It marked only his second blown save in 34 opportunities this year.
Extra innings brought more drama. Automatic runner Manny Machado advanced to third on a wild pitch from Rays reliever Tyler Wells (3-2) to start the 11th. Ty France followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, giving San Diego a 4-3 lead. The Padres needed just three more outs.
But the Rays refused to fold. Liam Hicks led off the bottom of the 11th with a single off David Morgan (2-1), putting runners on the corners. Pinch runner Kenny Piper then stole second base, and Chandler Simpson was intentionally walked to load the bases. DeLuca came up again and hit a ground ball to shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who mishandled it for an error, allowing the tying run to score. With the bases still loaded and one out, Mateo lined a single into left field, bringing home the winning run and setting off a celebration on the infield.
Earlier in the game, the Padres had built a lead behind solid pitching from Robbie Ray. The lefty allowed just one run on three hits over six innings, striking out six. San Diego took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on a two-run single by Bogaerts. Sung-Mun Song added a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Rays starter Drew Rasmussen, who had won seven consecutive decisions, saw his streak end. He allowed two runs on four hits over six innings, missing a chance to become the first Rays pitcher to win six games in a calendar month.
Junior Caminero continued his torrid stretch, crushing a 440-foot solo home run in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 2-1. The blast extended his hitting streak to 13 games. Caminero now has 37 home runs on the season, and 19 of those have traveled at least 420 feet – the most in the majors.
A notable moment came in the seventh when Fernando Tatis Jr. was ejected after being called out for running in fair territory on a comebacker. The play ended the inning, and Tatis argued vehemently before being tossed by the umpire.
Both teams now turn their attention to upcoming series. The Padres head to Cincinnati for a three-game set beginning Monday, with RHP Michael King (8-9, 3.23 ERA) facing Reds RHP Brady Singer (5-12, 4.72). The Rays will host the New York Mets on Monday, sending LHP Ian Seymour (9-5, 4.21) to the mound against Mets RHP Robert Stock (0-3, 7.40).
Article commentary
Sunday's game at Tropicana Field was a microcosm of why baseball remains the most unpredictable of sports. The Tampa Bay Rays, who have made a habit of late-game heroics this season, produced another one for the ages, erasing a two-run deficit with two outs in the ninth and then winning in extra innings. The sweep over the Padres is significant for both teams, but the narrative will inevitably center on the fluky nature of Jonny DeLuca's game-tying homer and the subsequent collapse of San Diego's bullpen. Mason Miller has been one of the most dominant closers in baseball, but even the best have off nights. The home run he surrendered to DeLuca was a freak play – a ball that was caught, then lost, then ruled a home run. The sequence highlighted the thin line between success and failure. Miller had been virtually unhittable, allowing no home runs in his first 53 appearances. Now, after back-to-back games with long balls, questions about fatigue or mechanical adjustments will inevitably surface. But it would be a mistake to overreact. Miller's stuff remains elite, and his track record this season speaks for itself. For the Rays, the victory underscores their resilience. Even without their best starting pitcher in Drew Rasmussen, who had a streak of seven straight wins snapped, they found a way to win. The bullpen, led by Tyler Wells, held the Padres to just one run over five innings of relief. The offense, despite being held in check by Robbie Ray for six innings, came alive when it mattered most. Junior Caminero continues to be a force, and his 13-game hitting streak, punctuated by massive home runs, makes him a legitimate MVP candidate. His ability to hit for both average and power at such a young age is reminiscent of some of the game's greats. The Padres, on the other hand, will be left to wonder what could have been. They had the game in hand, with their best reliever on the mound, and a two-run lead. The error by Xander Bogaerts in the 11th was the final dagger, but the game was lost in the ninth. San Diego's offense, which had been productive early, went silent after the seventh. The ejection of Fernando Tatis Jr. in the seventh inning only added to the frustration. The Padres now head to Cincinnati needing to regroup, as they try to stay in the playoff race. From a broader perspective, this game is a reminder that no lead is safe, especially in the modern era of baseball where bullpen usage and analytics have made late-inning comebacks more common. The Rays have mastered the art of the comeback, and their ability to win close games is a hallmark of a championship-caliber team. The Padres, despite their talent, continue to struggle with consistency. For Tampa Bay, the sweep is another step toward securing a postseason berth. For San Diego, it's a missed opportunity that could haunt them as the season winds down. Ultimately, Sunday's game will be remembered for the bizarre home run and the walk-off single. But beneath the surface, it reveals deeper truths about both teams: the Rays' relentless spirit, and the Padres' vulnerability in high-leverage moments.