Taylor Ward’s grand slam put the exclamation point on a 6-run 9th inning comeback, and the Los Angeles Angels stunned the San Diego Padres 9-5 at Petco Park on Monday Night.

Pads’ Closer Robert Suarez blew his 1st save of the season after 18 consecutive saves, losing a 2-run lead by walking 4 consecutive hitters before being pulled by Manager Mike Shildt as the stunned Petco Park crowd sat in silence.

Alex Jacob  replaced Suarez and struck out Jorge Soler before Ward homered.

Suarez (0-1) gave up a 1-out single before walking 4 straight hitters, forcing in 2 runs and tying the game at 5.

Zach Neto hit a 2-run homer for Los Angeles in the 3rd, and the Padres answered right back with 3 runs in the bottom half.

Jackson Merrill hit an RBI single, bringing Xander Bogaerts to the plate. Bogaerts hit a little rapper back to the mound, and Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi threw the ball away, bringing home 2 more runs- including a head-1st diving Merrill, who scored all the way from 1st base. Gavin Sheets then singled to left but Bogaerts got thrown out at home by a wide margin.

San Diego superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. led off the 5th with his 10th home run to make it 4-2.

The Angels cut it to 4-3 when San Diego 2nd baseman Jake Cronenworth threw the ball away on an easy double play started beautifully by Manny Machado.

Merrill- who extended his consecutive games with an extra base hit streak to 7- led off the bottom of the 8th with a triple a Bogaerts sacrifice fly made it 5-3 in the eighth.

The Pads got to Kikuchi for 4 runs- 2 earned- and 7 hits in 6 innings. Brock Burke (4-0) pitched the 8th, and Kenley Jansen fanned two in a scoreless 9th.

Machado reached base 3 times while extending his hitting streak to 12 games.

San Diego Starter Michael King- who deserved a lot better than his 5 2/3 inning no-decision- struck out 8 in 5 2/3 innings. He gave up 3 runs- 2 of them earned- on 4 hits.

Suarez had never walked more than 2 in a game and had just 4 in his first 17 2/3 innings pitched this season. His ERA jumped up over a run and a half to 3.00

.***** ‘LIVE’ Instant Reaction from Jim “GRIES” Grieshaber

The Padres (25-15) will look to get back on track tomorrow night in the 2nd of the 3-game series, with right-hander Dylan Cease (1-2, 4.91 ERA) taking the mound for the Padres against Angels' righty Jose Soriano. (2-4, ERA) 1st Pitch is at 6:40pm PT.

Your PADRES POSTCAST- hosted and produced by Jim "GRIES" Grieshaber- will come your way 'LIVE' and 'FREE' right after the game, on The Locked On Podcast Network, YOUR TEAM, EVERY DAY!

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