Boston Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts makes a leaping catch on a ball hit by San Diego Padres’ Manuel Margot during the fourth inning Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
SAN DIEGO — Brock Holt homered on All-Star closer Kirby Yates’ first pitch of the ninth inning to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 victory against the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.
The defending World Series champion Red Sox blew a 4-0 lead before Holt put them ahead again by hitting his third homer of the season to open the ninth. The ball sailed over right fielder Hunter Renfroe and into the Home Run Deck. Yates dropped to 0-4.
The Red Sox have beaten the Padres in seven of their last eight meetings and lead the overall series 14-6.
Matt Barnes (4-4) pitched the eighth for the win and Brandon Workman pitched the ninth for his eighth save. Workman struck out Eric Hosmer for the final out with runners on first and second.
Boston took a 4-0 lead against Dinelson Lamet after four innings but the Padres chased Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi during the three-run fourth and tied it in the seventh against two relievers.
Luis Urias opened the seventh with a walk and advanced when pinch-hitter Francisco Mejia was hit by a pitch by Ryan Brasier, who was replaced by Josh Taylor. Rookie pinch-hitter Ty France singled to left to bring in Urias with the tying run. The Padres loaded the bases with two outs before Eric Hosmer struck out.
Mookie Betts started the scoring for the Red Sox in the third when he singled in Brock Holt, who was hit by a pitch.
The first four Boston batters reached in the fourth. J.D. Martinez singled, Andrew Benintendi walked and Christian Vazquez brought them both in with a double to center. Mitch Moreland singled in Vazquez.
The Padres closed within one run in the third, which was highlighted by Hosmer’s two-run home run to right, his 19th, that chased Eovaldi. Manny Machado was aboard on a leadoff single. Marcus Walden came on and allowed a double by Renfroe, who advanced on Manuel Margot’s fly ball to center and scored on Urias’ groundout.
Eovaldi allowed two runs and four hits in three-plus innings, struck out three and walked one.
Lamet allowed four runs and six hits in five innings, struck out five and walked three.
TROLL JOB
The Padres had TV broadcasters Don Orsillo and Mark “Mud” Grant throw out the ceremonial first pitches. Orsillo spent 15 seasons calling Red Sox games before he was fired. He’s in his fourth season calling Padres games.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: Were expected to name Sunday’s starter after this game.
Padres: LHP Joey Lucchesi (8-7, 4.20) is scheduled to start the series finale. In his last start, last Sunday at Philadelphia, he recorded his first win since July 7 at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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