MLB2 hours ago2 minute read

Padres Catcher Ethan Salas Makes History in Win Over Rockies

Ethan Salas became the youngest catcher in MLB history to hit two home runs in a single game as the Padres beat the Rockies 9-3.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Historic Night in Denver

Ethan Salas had a night to remember on Wednesday. The San Diego Padres catcher hit his first two major league home runs in a 9-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. At just 20 years and 107 days old, he is now the youngest catcher in history to have a multi-homer game.

Salas broke a record that stood since 1976. Butch Wynegar was 20 years and 192 days old when he hit two home runs for Minnesota. Salas also became the youngest catcher to hit any home run in the majors since Iván Rodríguez did it back in 1991.

How the Runs Piled Up

The historic night started early. Jake Cronenworth hit an RBI single and Ty France drove in Fernando Tatis Jr. with a sacrifice fly to put San Diego up 2-0 in the first.

Salas then led off the second inning by hitting a home run that went 426 feet over the wall in center field. He hit it on the very first pitch he saw from Rockies starter Mason Adams.

The Padres kept pushing. Samad Taylor singled in the fourth, stole second, and scored on a Dustin Harris triple. Taylor later added a two run single in the fifth. Salas capped that four run fifth inning with his second home run of the night, a two run shot that made the score 8-1.

Robbie Ray earned the win for San Diego. He allowed three runs and three hits while striking out six over six innings. Kyle Karros hit a two run homer for the Rockies in the sixth, but it was not enough to stop the Padres. Adams took the loss, giving up six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Playoff Picture

This victory is huge for San Diego. The Padres have now won nine of their last 10 games. They hold an 83-69 record and entered the night with a 2 1/2 game lead over Arizona for the final National League wild card spot. The win also kept the rival Los Angeles Dodgers from clinching the NL West division title.

What it means for the next game

San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies (MLB, Thu, 17 Sep): Colorado Rockies win 34%, San Diego Padres win 66%; projected score Colorado Rockies 5, San Diego Padres 7. Our safest pick: Under 14.5 runs.

Miami Marlins at San Diego Padres (MLB, Sat, 19 Sep): San Diego Padres win 59%, Miami Marlins win 41%; projected score San Diego Padres 4, Miami Marlins 4. Our safest pick: Padres +1.5.