ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — David Peralta is just filling in for All-Star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., and the 36-year-old veteran knows it.
Just one more reason to savor the biggest moment of his season with San Diego.
Peralta hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the seventh inning for his first of the season in the Padres’ 6-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on July 3.
The 427-foot drive into the Texas bullpen in right-center field helped give the Padres their 10th win in 13 games. San Diego ended the Rangers’ three-game home shutout streak on Manny Machado’s two-run shot in the third.
Tatis hasn’t played since June 21 because of a stress reaction in his right thigh bone and may be sidelined past the All-Star break.
Enter Peralta, who started the season in the Chicago Cubs’ minor league system and started his stint with the Padres the same way before joining the big league club in May.
The 118th homer of his career was his first since last July 8 for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the crosstown rival Angels.
“Big relief,” said Peralta, who is hitting .210. “It’s just this moment, being working so hard every single day to help the team to do something. And finally, I did something good for the team.”
