Rookie Cam Smith tormented the Padres Friday, homering in his first two at-bats with a career-best four RBIs as the Friars began a six-game road trip by falling to the Astros 6-4.
The right fielder connected off Kyle Hart (2-1) on a three-run homer in the second inning to put the Astros on top and added a solo shot in the fourth that made it 5-2.
Luis Arraez, who had three hits, sent a high fastball from Bryan King into the first row in right field with Fernando Tatis Jr. on that cut the lead to 5-4 in the seventh.
The Padres got no closer despite having 12 hits on the night. But they went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
The Astros trailed by one – Tyler Wade drove in Gavin Sheets on a force out in the first – with two on and two outs in the second inning when Smith sent his first home run into the seats in left field to make it 3-1.
An RBI single by Yainer Diaz extended the lead to 4-1 in the third.
Rollin' deep in the heart of Texas ? pic.twitter.com/xth19lS0Vl
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 18, 2025After a double by Xander Bogaerts to open the fourth, Oscar Gonzalez cut the advantage to 4-2 with an RBI single on a ground ball with one out.
Smith’s second home run came on a full count in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 5-2.
Jake Meyers tied a season high with three hits for the Astros, capped by a run-scoring single in the eighth to give them some insurance.
Houston starter Ryan Gusto (2-1) gave up nine hits and two runs in five innings. Former Friar Josh Hader pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save.
Hart yielded 10 hits and five runs in five innings for his first loss this season after the Padres won each of his first three starts.
Manager Mike Shildt said the left-hander “threw enough quality strikes,” but could not get over the hump against the Astros’ rookie.
“If you take Smith out of the lineup, which we cannot, I thought he threw pretty well,” he said.
Michael King (3-0, 2.42) takes the mound Saturday against the Astros’ Hayden Wesneski (1-1, 4.00 ERA).
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