PHOENIX — The Padres have an embarrassment of riches in the bullpen. Which means they can be on the money even if momentarily embarrassed.
Such was the case Tuesday night in the Padres’ 10-5 victory in 11 innings against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Closer Robert Suarez twice stranded runners in scoring position after setup reliever Mason Miller yielded a game-tying home run in the eighth. The Padres erupted for five runs in the 11th to give Suarez his fourth win of the season.
Suarez worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings — two outs in the ninth and all three in the 10th. He shook off two inherited runners in the ninth and the automatic runner, plus an intentional walk, in the 10th.
The 34-year-old righty, who has allowed just two earned runs since the start of July, threw 15 pitches, an even mix of his sinker, changeup and four-seam fastball. He induced four whiffs on nine swings. He did not allow a hit while striking out one.
“Everything was working for me today,” Suarez said through an interpreter. “I was able to navigate around the runners without any problems, and I was able to run up a couple of zeros and help us win the game.”
Suarez is the back end of a deep bullpen that includes three 2025 All-Stars and now Miller, the star Athletics closer acquired at the Trade Deadline on Thursday. Miller on Tuesday threw a 104.2 mph pitch — the fastest by a Padre since pitch tracking began in 2008.
But a 103.9 mph delivery was notable for another reason. Miller’s heater was drilled into the left-center-field seats by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the bottom of the eighth, tying the game, 5-5. That was fastest pitch resulting in a homer under pitch tracking.
“Location could have been better, for sure,” Miller said. “Ultimately, the result is what it is. I’m not going to sit here and regret what pitch I threw. Just got it out over the plate, a little bit high.”
Those runs were the first allowed by the flamethrower since June 19 with the A’s against Houston. Padres manager Mike Shildt didn’t seem the least bit concerned following Tuesday’s win.
“They’re both really, really good back-end-of-the-game guys,” Shildt said.
Suarez has been as dependable as they come for the Padres, and Tuesday’s win was the first time he has thrown more than an inning since tossing two scoreless innings at San Francisco on June 2.
“The mentality is there,” Suarez said. “Whenever the team needs me to go out and pitch a little bit more, I’m prepared to do so.”
That mentality is what Suarez said he believes can help the Padres reach the postseason this fall, and he’s set to be a big part of it. Shildt, meanwhile, is loaded with bullpen depth, and said when all pitchers are available, he’ll likely continue to rely on Miller in the eighth and Suarez in the ninth.
“Robert’s been that guy for us,” Shildt said. “He was really efficient to hold it right there. He’s more than done his job at the end of the game.”
For his part, Miller is happy to get back on the high-leverage horse. Those late-game scenarios are where Miller said he thrives.
“I’m excited to get out there again and have another chance,” he said. “I think every out in the big leagues is important. But, yeah, the energy of the late-game moments is definitely something I’ve become accustomed to.”
Suarez, for his part, has been impressed by the 26-year-old Miller.
“It’s quite a spectacle for all the fans to get to see him pitch with all that velocity,” Suarez said. “I have a lot of respect and admiration for him, and I hope he stays healthy throughout his career and he’s able to have a productive journey in the Majors.”
The Padres and Diamondbacks conclude their three-game set on Wednesday, another important divisional game for San Diego as it looks to keep pace in both the NL West and Wild Card races.
The bullpen’s late-inning success will be a key driver in both of those chases.
“It’s very exciting,” Suarez said. “Obviously, we’re aiming for the NL West, but our main goal is to be in the playoffs.”
