Bogaerts Walk-Off Grand Slam Lifts Padres Past Rockies in Extras
The Sporting Tribune's Fernando Ramirez writes that it wasn't pretty but Xander Bogaerts gets the Padres out of trouble in the 12th inning for their third straight win.
Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) runs the bases after hitting a walk-off grand slam home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo (not pictured) in the twelfth inning at Petco Park. Xander Bogaerts delivered a grand slam walk-off in the 12th inning to lift the Padres (7-6) to a 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies (6-7). San Diego returned to Petco Park after a six-game road trip in which it went 4-2, showcasing strong defense and improved offense—momentum it appeared to carry into Thursday night.
An interesting decision came in the 12th inning from Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer. After Fernando Tatis Jr. laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Jake Cronenworth to third, Schaeffer elected to intentionally walk Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado, setting up Bogaerts’ game-winning slam.
“I just tried to get the run in,” Bogaerts said. “Didn’t have to be the big hero. I actually didn’t have to hit it out, just try to get it to the outfield.
No rollovers. ” Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) attempts to pour the contents of a beverage cooler over shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) after Bogaerts hit a walk-off grand slam home run in the twelfth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Denis Poroy-Imagn Images Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) attempts to pour the contents of a beverage cooler over shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) after Bogaerts hit a walk-off grand slam home run in the twelfth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park.
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