SAN DIEGO — Luis Campusano’s walk-off two-run homer sent the Padres to a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Yankees on Friday night at Petco Park.
Campusano — who had thrown out three Yankees baserunners from behind the plate — turned on a first-pitch fastball from Yankees right-hander Paul Blackburn and sent it to the left-field seats.
It was an extraordinary way for the Padres to snap a streak of six straight losses in one-run games — and it sent San Diego back into playoff position, half a game up on the Diamondbacks in the National League Wild Card race.
Here’s some instant reaction from Petco Park:
An all-around brilliant night from Campusano
Campusano threw out a trio of Yankees baserunners on an outstanding night behind the plate. First, he nabbed Trent Grisham in the second inning. Then, he caught 40-steal Jazz Chisolm Jr. in the fifth. In the 10th, he erased Spencer Jones trying to steal third base after the rookie put the Yankees ahead by a run.
That set the stage for his 10th-inning heroics. Campusano has always been a bat-first catcher. But he’s proven this season that he can do it all.
An efficient night from the bullpen
The Padres’ middle relievers made quick work of the Yankees’ lineup. Yuki Matsui completed the sixth on just 12 pitches. Bradgley Rodriguez needed nine to get through the seventh. Adrian Morejon was the workhorse, requiring 14 pitches to strike out all three Yankees he faced in the eighth.
Then came Mason Miller — who was only a Ben Rice 0-2 popup away from an immaculate inning in the ninth. Miller struck out the next two Yankees on three pitches apiece.
With the light workload in the ninth, Miller would be called upon for the 10th as well. He allowed a leadoff single to Jones, plating the automatic runner but escaped without further damage — thanks in large part to his catcher.
Buehler’s surge continuesThe Padres added Robbie Ray and Casey Mize at the Trade Deadline. Randy Vásquez has rejoined the rotation and has been solid. But outside of ace Michael King, the single most stabilizing force in the San Diego rotation lately has been Buehler.
He pitched five innings of one-run ball on Friday night, allowing only Rice’s solo home run in the third. Otherwise, he worked efficiently and limited hard contact all night.
Buehler has a 3.04 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break. He’s been at his best when the Padres have needed him most — and he’s earned some important starts down the stretch.