Cordero, Villanueva, Hedges power Padres past Mets 12-2
SAN DIEGO — Franchy Cordero hit a three-run homer estimated at 453 feet, Christian Villanueva had a two-run shot and Austin Hedges drove in a career-high five runs as the San Diego Padres roughed up Jason Vargas and the New York Mets 12-2 on Saturday night.
Rookie lefty Joey Lucchesi (3-1) limited the Mets to four hits in 5 2-3 innings while striking out six and walking two. He exited two batters after surrendering a two-run homer by Yoenis Cespedes that sailed into the Padres’ bullpen beyond the fence in center field.
Hedges, the light-hitting catcher, came up big with a two-run single in the third, a two-run double in the fourth and an RBI single in the sixth. He raised his average from .143 to .176.
Vargas (0-1) had a rough season debut five weeks after breaking a bone in his glove hand in spring training. He allowed nine runs and nine hits, four for extra bases, in 3 2-3 innings.
Vargas tied for the major league lead with 18 wins last year with Kansas City.
Villanueva extended his hitting streak to 11 games hit a two-run homer to left-center with one out in the first, his eighth.
He was robbed of another two-run shot when Juan Lagares made a nice leaping catch against the fence in left-center.
Cordero homered to right-center with two outs in the fourth to give the Padres a 9-0 lead and chase Vargas. It was his sixth. It was his third homer of more than 450 feet, the most in the big leagues this year.
Manuel Margot hit a two-run triple in the first. TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: Wil Myers strained his left oblique on a swinging strike in the fifth, stayed in for one more pitch and then left the game. He was replaced by Matt Szczur.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Zack Wheeler (1-1, 4.24) is scheduled to start the series finale. He’s 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three career starts against the Padres.
Padres: RHP Bryan Mitchell (0-2, 5.76) is still looking for his first win with the Padres. This will be his sixth start, fourth at home.