Emmanuel Valdez hit a three-run homer and the Boston Red Sox beat the free-falling San Diego Padres 4-2 on Saturday.
Chris Sale allowed only three hits – including two home runs – during his seven-inning pitch, and Boston sent the Padres to their fourth straight loss and 11th in 13 games.
The 34-year-old Sale (4-2) made his fourth notable start and helped the Red Sox win their fourth. The lefty allowed homers to Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr., but otherwise dominated the star-studded lineup.
Despite having the third largest payroll in the majors, the Padres are still missing the bat.
Sale got all the support he needed in a two-out second inning, when Valdez found a pitch from Joe Musgrove (1-2) and sent the ball into the right field seats.
It was the third home run for Quiskian.
Sale homered to Soto’s hit to right-center field in the bottom of the second inning. Tatis’ 440-foot home run put the ball into the second story of left field to start the sixth inning.
Tatis hit seven homers this season and Soto hit three.
Kenley Jansen earned his tenth save.
For the Red Sox, Mexican Alex Verdugo 4-1 with an RBI. Dominican Rafael Devers went 4–0, Raimel Tapia went 4–1, Valdez went 4–2 with three RBIs. Puerto Rican Kike Hernandez drove in a run and went 4–2 with three RBI.
For the Padres, Dominic Tatis went 4–1 with one run and one RBI, Soto went 3–1 with one run and one RBI, Nelson Cruz went 2–0. Jose Ajocar of Venezuela 3-0, Rongad Odor 1-0.
