The Padres defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 on Saturday, who fell behind in the fight to advance to the playoffs in the National League.
The Diamondbacks (88-73) have lost five of their last six games, just when they are looking for a wild card ticket to the postseason. They are now behind the Braves (88-71) and the Mets (87-72), who control the last two tickets.
The game was tied without runs until the beginning of the ninth inning. With one out, Venezuelan David Peralta singled up the middle of the diamond and Higashioka hit his two-run homer, sending the ball into the seats in left field.
Lockridge followed with his first home run in the majors, also to left field.
The hits represented a blow to Diamondbacks left-handed pitcher AJ Puk, who has been the club’s most dominant reliever since he was acquired from the Miami Marlins just before the trade deadline.
Puk had allowed just one run in 27 innings over his 29 starts since arriving in Arizona.
Solano added a two-run homer, his fourth of the night, off Scott McGough.
Dominican Wandy Peralta (3-2) finished the eighth scoreless episode to take the win.
For the Padres, Colombian Solano was 4-for-5 with one run scored and two RBIs. Dominican Manny Machado 5-0. Venezuelan Peralta 3-1 with one scored.
For the Diamondbacks, the Dominicans Ketel Marte 3-0, Geraldo Perdomo 2-0. Cuban Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 4-0. The Venezuelans Eugenio Suárez 4-0, Gabriel Moreno 2-0.
