The Padres had more than one issue on Saturday, and the loss to the Rays was only part of it.
San Diego dropped a 7-6 decision in Tampa Bay, falling to 72-64 and slipping into a half-game deficit behind the Diamondbacks for the final National League wild-card spot. Arizona moved into that position after winning seven of its last 10 games.
On the field, Walker Buehler worked five innings and struck out three, but he also gave up three earned runs, seven hits and two home runs. The Padres got production from a few familiar names: Dustin Harris collected three hits and scored twice, while Fernando Tatis Jr. stole home on a double-steal in the seventh.
Manny Machado and Ty France also turned in two-hit games. France’s day included a two-run homer, the 100th home run of his career, in the sixth inning.
Machado later drove in two runs with a single in the seventh. San Diego put up three runs in that frame, but Tampa Bay answered with four in the bottom half and closed out the series.
The bigger concern came when Luis Rengifo was carted off in the seventh with what appeared to be a leg injury. The team later said he has a right knee sprain and will fly back to San Diego for more evaluation.
“Update from the Padres clubhouse: Luis Rengifo exited today’s game with a right knee sprain. He’s receiving treatment and will fly back to San Diego for further evaluation.”
There was also an update on Yu Darvish, who is still grinding through his Tommy John rehab. Manager Craig Stammen said retirement remains a possibility for the right-hander.
“He's been doing the normal Tommy John rehab - some of it at Petco, some of it not at Petco,” Stammen said. “We see him here and there.
He's on his own timeline. He still doesn't know if he really wants to come back, wants to retire, what his next role is within the organization.
We're kind of letting him have his space and do his thing, and right now he's throwing bullpens.”
And then there’s Ethan Salas, who has wasted no time making noise at Triple-A. Through his first 23 games, Salas is hitting .326/.406/.547 with a .953 OPS, along with three home runs and 23 RBIs.
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September roster expansion usually gives a team a little breathing room, but it can also sharpen the competition for the final chairs in the dugout, especially for a Padres club with postseason plans in mind. Andjars activation will force another round of lineup balancing, and the question now is not just who gets healthy, but who gets squeezed when the roster has to make room. [Read more 🡒]