Good Morning San Diego: Freddy Fermin hits two-run home run to help Padres end losing streak

Freddy Fermin of the San Diego Padres rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Mets

San Diego Padres rookie reliever Bradgley Rodriguez came into the game against the New York Mets in the top of the seventh inning with the game tied, 1-1. He faced Marcus Semien to start his relief outing and was ambushed on the first pitch of the at-bat. Semien hit a first-pitch solo home run to left-center field that just made it over the wall to put the Mets ahead of the Padres, 2-1. Rodriguez bounced back, getting outs from the next three New York batters, but with San Diego on a six-game winless streak, it appeared to be another minor mistake that would lead to another loss.

Freddy Fermin, who has been struggling on offense and defense in recent weeks, changed the outcome of the game with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the seventh inning. Fermin was 0-for-30 heading into what proved to be his game-winning plate appearance. With two outs and Sung-Mun Song on first base, Fermin hit the first pitch of the at-bat over the head of Mets left fielder Juan Soto and into the left field bleachers to put the Padres ahead, 3-2 on his first home run of the season.

Song, who was thrown out between third and home plate to end the bottom of the fifth inning, made an inning-ending play in the top of the eighth to keep San Diego in the lead. Jason Adam was on the mound to start the frame and recorded an out against the first batter he faced. With a one-run lead, he allowed back-to-back singles and New York had Soto coming to the plate with a chance to tie the game with a hit or give his team the lead with a home run. Adam got Soto to lineout to Song at second base. Song was running to his right when he caught the ball and was able to get enough on a throw to Xander Bogaerts who was at the base to double off the runner at second to end the inning.

Mason Miller came on for the bottom of the ninth inning and got the first two outs fairly quickly. He then walked A.J. Ewing but secured the win with a strikeout of Mark Vientos to give the Padres a 3-2 win and snap their six-game losing streak. San Diego will try to make it two in a row and win the series today at 1:10 p.m.

• The Dominican Summer League is about to begin, and the Padres will be represented by multiple players. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball tells you who and what to watch for this season.

The Dominican Summer League is about to begin, and the Padres will be represented by multiple players. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball tells you who and what to watch for this season.

• Things were bad when the Padres could not find consistent offense with a healthy lineup. Things got worse when it was announced that Ramon Laureano would likely miss the rest of the season after hip surgery. That injury, combined with multiple pitching injuries, has Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune wondering if the Padres have enough to reach the postseason.

Things were bad when the Padres could not find consistent offense with a healthy lineup. Things got worse when it was announced that Ramon Laureano would likely miss the rest of the season after hip surgery. That injury, combined with multiple pitching injuries, has Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune wondering if the Padres have enough to reach the postseason.

• The Friar Faithful have continued to sellout Petco Park, which is a testament to how much they believe in the Padres, but they are tired of seeing their home team on the wrong end of the scoreboard. Kirk Kenney of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the fans have some ideas on how to end San Diego’s hitting woes.

The Friar Faithful have continued to sellout Petco Park, which is a testament to how much they believe in the Padres, but they are tired of seeing their home team on the wrong end of the scoreboard. Kirk Kenney of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the fans have some ideas on how to end San Diego’s hitting woes.

• Dominic Smith had two hits, one of which was a home run, as the Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park.

Dominic Smith had two hits, one of which was a home run, as the Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park.

• The Washington Nationals continued their recent dominance over NL West opponents with a 6-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Washington Nationals continued their recent dominance over NL West opponents with a 6-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.