Tim Tawa's First Career Grand Slam in Mexico City Sparks Arizona's Stunning 12-7 Comeback Win

MEXICO CITY , Baseball has a way of bringing people together across borders, and the Diamondbacks just proved it in the most dramatic way possible. Down 7-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, Arizona launched an absolutely wild comeback to stun the Padres 12-7 and close out the Mexico City Series on Sunday. The moment that changed everything? Tim Tawa's first career grand slam off a 97.2 mph sinker from David Morgan, crushed at 100.1 mph and traveling 363 feet into left field.

When the Bases Got Loaded, Tawa Delivered

With one out in the seventh, three consecutive singles from José Fernández, Nolan Arenado, and Alek Thomas loaded the bases. That's when Tawa stepped up and hit the most important swing of his career so far. "Definitely a big moment, it was cool to hear the crowd be really loud," Tawa said. "When I hit it, I thought it was a double. The only time I knew it was a home run when I saw Thomas celebrating, and then it kind of sank in, and it was cool to take in that scene."

The grand slam cut the deficit to just one run, but Arizona wasn't done. Ildemaro Vargas doubled, Corbin Carroll drew a walk, and then Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ripped a double down the left field line to drive in both runners and give the D-backs the lead. "I was looking for good contact, and I got a very important at-bat, and thank God everything went well," Gurriel said in Spanish.

Power Hitting Set the Stage Before the Rally

Before that seventh inning explosion, Arizona's offense was already making noise. José Fernández lined an 82.3 mph sweeper over the left field wall in the fifth for a solo shot, his third of the season, coming off the bat at 103.1 mph and traveling 409 feet. Vargas followed in the sixth with a big swing of his own, launching his sixth homer of the season to right field and extending his MLB-leading hitting streak to 20 games this season, 23 dating back to September 26 of last year.

The Diamondbacks weren't finished in the eighth. Fernández, Arenado, and Thomas loaded the bases again, and this time Vargas delivered with a bases-clearing triple down the right field line. Ketel Marte singled on a ground ball to right, scoring Vargas to make it even worse for San Diego.

Defense and Heart

It took a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner to make the final out look easy. Nolan Arenado ranged to his right and made a diving, backhanded play near the foul line to secure the last out of this unforgettable afternoon.

Manager Torey Lovullo summed it up perfectly: "It's a great win for this team. Over some really rugged, tough circumstances, these guys continue to fight, and that's our DNA, that's part of our culture, to never give in."

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.