Tatis Jr. Slams Mets, Padres Take Series Finale 7-3

The Mets couldn’t finish off the sweep of San Diego on Sunday, losing 7-2.

Still, it’s the second straight weekend the Mets finish with multiple wins against the San Diego Padres. New York split last week’s series 2-2 at Petco Park and finish the season series 4-3.

An ominous start from Joey Lucchesi cast doubt if the Mets would earn a sweep. Lucchesi was taken deep on his third pitch of the afternoon by Tommy Pham. A Fernando Tatis Jr. ground out was quickly followed by singles from Manny Machado and Wil Myers. Lucchesi danced out of danger with a 6-3 double play to end the inning.

The Mets recorded their first hit of the day from leadoff hitter Luis Guillorme. Guillorme played third base in his second start since returning from injury.

New York wouldn’t record their second hit until a double from Francisco Lindor in the fourth.

But the offensive woes mattered little to Lucchesi. The Padres hit into another double play in the second, didn’t record a base runner in the third, and struck out twice in the fourth. Lucchesi finished his day striking out the side in the fifth.

His final line stood at five innings, four hits, one run, one walk, and six strikeouts.

The Mets offense perked up in the fifth. Mason Williams singled to right field and was immediately driven in on a two-run home run by Jose Peraza, his fourth, to center field.

Jeurys Familia entered in the sixth. He allowed back-to-back singles to Pham and Tatis Jr. before an out. But San Diego grounded into their third double play with Machado at the plate. Myers was called out on strikes to end the inning.

New York responded with back-to-back singles of their own in the bottom of the inning from Lindor and Pete Alonso. Like San Diego, they failed to add a run with two runners on and no outs.

Familia went back for the seventh. He walked Eric Hosmer on four pitches, Jake Cronenworth singled, and Webster Rivas sacrifice bunt to move the runners over. Pinch-hitting, Trent Grisham struck out for the second out.

Familia and the Mets looked like they’d escape with their 2-1 lead intact. Familia had Jurickson Profar in a 2-2 count. Two sliders from Familia missed low and Profar walked to load the bases. Familia lost all control and walked Pham on four pitches to score the tying run.

Bases loaded, two outs, Tatis Jr. was up. The Mets replaced Familia with Jacob Barnes. A middle-away cutter was taken 444 feet for a grand slam. San Diego led 6-2. The next hitter, Machado, took Barnes’ changeup 413 feet for a home run. 7-2.

Myers struck out to end the inning.

San Diego starter Chris Paddack was done after six innings. He cleaned up the Mets after struggling against them last Sunday. Paddack allowed six hits, walked none, and struck out nine.

Williams hit his first career double off reliever Tim Hill in the seventh. Williams later advanced to third on a wild pitch. Guillorme walked with two outs to put runners on the corners. San Diego put in Austin Adams to strike out Lindor.

Drew Smith pitched the eighth for New York. San Diego hit into their fourth double play of the afternoon. Rivas flew out. Smith needed just eight pitches.

Scary moment for the Mets in the bottom of the eighth. Alonso was hit in the head with a 94 mile per hour fastball by Emilio Pagan. The ball clanged off the helmet and Alonso quickly hopped to his feet and scurried down to first. He remained in the game.

New York added their third run in the inning. Dominic Smith beat out a double-play ball and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice. Tomas Nido, who entered the lineup for Guillorme and played third for the first time in his career, reached on a throwing error by Cronenworth. Smith came around to score on the errant toss.

Drew Smith finished the game for New York. Completing two innings of scoreless relief.

Robert Gsellman pinch-hit for the Mets in the ninth. Jonathan Villar was away from the team with a family matter, leaving New York with a short bench. Gsellman struck out.

The Mets remain at home to play the first-place Chicago Cubs tomorrow night. David Peterson is scheduled to pitch.