Major League Baseball

Alonso's grand slam helps Padres rally past Reds

Published Jun. 6, 2015 7:56 p.m. ET

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Yonder Alonso fouled off two pitches to prolong his at-bat and extend the Padres' desperate rally. With a full-count swing, he completed it.

Alonso's second career grand slam evened the score in the seventh inning, and Matt Kemp singled with the bases loaded in the eighth on Saturday as San Diego pulled off its biggest comeback of the season, a 9-7 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

San Diego won its sixth in a row against Cincinnati over the last two seasons, this one with a big day from the middle of the order.

Alonso's homer off Tony Cingrani tied it 7-7 and completed a comeback from an early 6-1 deficit. The first baseman got it to a full count and connected on the ninth pitch.

"I was hoping I'd get lucky and something would fall," Alonso said. "I was just trying to keep the rally going."

San Diego loaded the bases in the eighth with Abraham Almonte's pinch-hit double and a pair of walks from Jumbo Diaz (2-1). Kemp's single through the hole at shortstop gave him five RBIs overall.

Kemp also had a solo homer -- his first since April 18 -- and a two-run double off Michael Lorenzen, with both of those hits going to right field.

"That's a good sign when I'm hitting the ball to right field," Kemp said. "That's where I've had the most success."

Kemp made some changes in his swing and his approach the last few days.

"The intent to do some damage and turn the bat loose -- we've seen more of that," manager Bud Black said. "He's been more aggressive in swinging at balls in the strike zone."

Brandon Maurer (2-0) retired the three batters in the seventh. Craig Kimbrel gave up a walk and a single in the ninth before fanning Zack Cozart for his 13th save in 14 chances.

Todd Frazier drove in three runs with a pair of doubles for the Reds, who lost for the 14th time in 19 games.

The Reds got their big early lead with the help of several Padres misplays, followed by their biggest meltdown of the season.

Center fielder Will Venable broke in on Joey Votto's flyball with two outs in the fourth, allowing it to go over his head for an RBI triple. Frazier followed with another fly that Venable broke in on, only to have it go past him for a run-scoring double.

Cincinnati's bullpen helped the Padres pull it out by walking five batters in the seventh and eighth innings, with three of them scoring.

GRAND SLAMS

The umpires reviewed video of Alonso's grand slam, making sure the fan who caught it didn't reach over the wall. It took only 49 seconds to confirm it was a home run. Alonso's other grand slam was Sept. 14, 2012, against Colorado.

GRAND RETURN

Since coming back from a bruised right shoulder, Alonso has gone 8 for 15 in four games with six RBIs.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: Outfielder Wil Myers headed out to start a rehab assignment. He's expected to play three games at Triple-A and could be activated off the disabled list if his left wrist is fine. He's been sidelined since May 11 with tendinitis.

Reds: Right fielder Jay Bruce ran into the outfield wall as he tried to catch Kemp's homer in the fourth inning. He wasn't hurt and stayed in the game.

UP NEXT

Padres: Odrisamer Despaigne (3-3) starts on an extra day of rest. He gave up one run in eight innings of a 7-1 victory over the Pirates last Sunday.

Reds: Johnny Cueto (3-4) makes his second start since returning from elbow inflammation. He gave up two runs in six innings of a 5-4 loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday.

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