![MLB National League](jpg/0.dkb240520028_sd_vs_atl4476.jpg)
The Padres jumped on former Friar Nick Martinez immediately Wednesday on the way to a 7-3 win over the Reds.
Martinez, who signed with Cincinnati in the off-season after two years in San Diego, gave up five runs and eight hits in 4.2 innings, and Luis Arraez, hitting lead-off, set the tone with a home run in the first.
The Reds’ Jeimer Candalario tagged starter Michael King with his own solo shot in the bottom of the first, but after that it was all Padres.
They were up 2-1 in the fifth when Luis Campusano started the inning with a single. Four hits later – including run-scoring knocks by Fernando Tatis Jr., Jurickson Profar and Jake Cronenworth – they had a more commanding 5-1 lead.
Arraez ended the day with four hits and two RBIs – he drove in the Padres’ final run in the sixth. The win for King evened his record at 4-4, while Martinez fell to 1-3.
Meanwhile, the Padres placed Xander Bogaerts on the IL following his shoulder injury Monday on the team’s final day in Atlanta.
New tests showed he sustained a fracture as he attempted to field a ground ball in the third inning of the first game of a double-header against the Braves. He dived to his left and, grimacing, immediately signaled for help.
Manager Mike Shildt, in remarks to MLB.com, called the news “not as good as we would have hoped, especially after the initial imaging.”
The slumping Bogaerts had shown signs of life recently, but overall, he has four homers on the year while hitting just .219. Arraez and Tyler Wade have stepped in at second base in his absence.
The Padres have a chance to take the series in Cincinnati when Matt Waldron takes the mound Thursday. They then head home to welcome Aaron Judge and the American League East-leading Yankees to begin a six-game home stand.
Tickets remain for all three games, with the best availability Friday and Saturday.