PHOENIX (AP) — Kyle Higashioka, Brandon Lockridge and Donovan Solano homered in the ninth inning, lifting the San Diego Padres to a 5-0 win on Saturday night over the sliding Arizona Diamondbacks, who continued to lose ground in the National League playoff race. The Diamondbacks (88-73) have lost five of six as they chase an NL wild card. They’re currently behind the Braves (88-71) and Mets (87-72), who hold the final two playoff spots.
The game was scoreless heading into the ninth. With one out, David Peralta singled up the middle and then Higashioka cranked a no-doubt, two-run homer deep into the left field stands. Lockridge followed with his first big league homer, which was also hit to left.
It was a stunning blowup for Diamondbacks left-hander A.J. Puk (4-9), who has been the team's most dominant reliever since he was acquired from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline.
He had given up just one run over 27 innings over his 29 outings since coming to Arizona. Solano added a two-run homer, his fourth hit of the night, later in the ninth off Scott McGough for a 5-0 advantage. Arizona has the highest-scoring offense in the big leagues this season but finished with just two hits.
San Diego right-hander Randy Vásquez took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Corbin Carroll laced a double to right field. The 25-year-old Vásquez — who had just been recalled from Triple-A El Paso — was making his first start in the big leagues since Aug. 31.
He finished with six.