Thursday night’s game between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres at Petco Park is absolutely bonkers, in what was supposed to be an awesome pitcher’s duel between Max Scherzer and Yu Darvish.
The Nats jumped out to an 8-0 lead early, knocking Darvish out after three innings (3 IP, 6 ER allowed for Darvish, who entered with a 2.65 ERA). Max Scherzer was cruising until the fourth inning, but then it all fell apart.
Scherzer allowed seven runs (all earned) in the fourth inning… including a grand slam by San Diego relief pitcher Daniel Camarena.
Yes, really- Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner who entered this game with a 2.10 ERA on the season, allowed a grand slam to a relief pitcher.
It’s the first grand slam hit by a relief pitcher since 1985, and it’s the first hit of Camarena’s career. Heck, this was only the second game of Camarena’s major-league career. The 28-year-old rookie was called back up from Triple-A before Thursday’s game, after making his MLB debut on June 19.
The stunning grand slam featured an awesome call by Don Orsillo of Bally Sports San Diego:
This isn't just a grand slam.
And it isn't just a grand slam BY A PITCHER.
It's a grand slam, BY A PITCHER, FOR HIS FIRST CAREER HIT.#SlamDiego pic.twitter.com/goraKjGanH
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 9, 2021
The Camarena family reaction was priceless 😭@Padres | #HungryForMore pic.twitter.com/pkX9GIoDER
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) July 9, 2021
From Cathedral Catholic High into #SlamDiego lore.
Dan the Man Camarena! pic.twitter.com/qSqYKg7k2G
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 9, 2021
The first run of the inning came on a solo homer from Padres superstar Fernando Tatís Jr., and he hit an RBI single later in the same inning.
Fernando Tatís Jr. continues his All-Star season and takes Max Scherzer to DEEP left field! 💥@Padres | @tatis_jr | #HungryForMore pic.twitter.com/gVzxb8SoNA
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) July 9, 2021
The Padres tied the game 8-8 in the bottom of the sixth on a Tommy Pham RBI double.
Fire us all the way up @TphamLV 🔥🔥#HungryForMore pic.twitter.com/NpnVfu2q1Z
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 9, 2021
Wacky, wacky game and slugfest, that nobody could’ve seen coming. That’s baseball for ya.
Update: The Padres capped off the incredible comeback with a walk-off single from Trent Grisham to win 9-8.
Don Orsillo loses his mind as the Padres walk it off after trailing Max Scherzer and the Nats 8-0. ⚾️ https://t.co/0RTEKEKX85
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 9, 2021
