AP names Nicky Jam and J Balvin's 'X' its top song of 2018

The top 10 songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu.

1. Nicky Jam and J Balvin, "X'': Nicky Jam and J Balvin's "X'' is not just the Latin song of the year — it is SIMPLY THE SONG OF THE YEAR. A year after the uber-successful "Despacito," comes "X'' — a fusion of Latin, reggae and dancehall sounds and the perfect song to listen to while getting ready to go out, at a club or even while you're cleaning or cooking. "X'' is addictive and the beat will move your bones, even if you're not trying to move. Just don't fight the feeling.

2. Toni Braxton, "Long as I Live": Toni Braxton's R&B classics from the 90's and 2000's still sound iconic today, and her latest single, "Long as I Live," allows you to feel nostalgic, while not getting stuck in the past. Toni's still got it.

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2018 file photo, Nicky Jam, left, and J Balvin perform at the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas. Their song "X" is named as one of the top songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu.(Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

3. Jussie Smollett, "Ha Ha (I Love You)": This Quiet Storm anthem shows that while playing Jamal Lyon on "Empire" helped make Jussie Smollett famous, he sounds even better when he's singing his own songs.

4. Joji, "Slow Dancing in the Dark": This burning R&B number is unforgettable.

5. Ella Mai, "Boo'd Up": The song of the summer sounds good in the fall and winter, too.

FILE - In this March 2, 2017 file photo, singer Toni Braxton arrives at the world premiere of "Beauty and the Beast" in Los Angeles. Braxton's song "Long as I Live," is named as one of the top songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu.(Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP, File)

6. Kendrick Lamar and SZA, "All the Stars": The star of "All the Stars" may seem to be Kendrick Lamar — and while he shines on the song — it's really SZA's sing-a-long hook and killer second verse that makes this "Black Panther" track one of the year's best.

7. Normani and Khalid, "Love Lies": With all of the Fifth Harmony singers going solo, Normani is the one to look out for. The proof: "Love Lies."

8. XXXTentacion, "SAD!": So many rappers died young this year, and it's sad to see so much talent not live up to its full potential. XXXTentacion's "SAD!" was already a hit before he died, but after his death, the song, and his music, took on new life.

FILE - In this March 6, 2018 file photo, actor-singer Jussie Smollett, from the Fox series, "Empire," poses for a portrait in New York. Smollett's "Ha Ha (I Love You)" was named as one of the top songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu.(Photo by Victoria WillInvisionAP, File)

9. Drake, "In My Feelings": Don't front — this is your jam, too! Hey, Keke!

10. Lykke Li, "Sex Money Feelings Die": Hit play, and dance.

Honorable mention: Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, "The Middle"; Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin, "I Like It"; Jorja Smith, "Blue Lights"; Dan + Shay, "Tequila"; Lauren Daigle, "You Say"; Ty Dolla $ign, Khalid and 6LACK, "OTW"; John Mayer, "New Light"; Janelle Monae, "Pynk."

FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2018 file photo, Ella Mai performs "Boo'd Up" at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. The song was named as one of the top songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu. (Photo by Matt SaylesInvisionAP)

This combination photo shows Kendrick Lamar, left, and SZA, whose song "All the Stars," was named as one of the top songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu. (AP Photo)

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2018 file photo, Normani, left, and Khalid perform at Jingle Ball in Inglewood, Calif. Their song, "Love Lies," was named as one of the top songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

FILE - In this June 26, 2017 file photo, Canadian rapper Drake arrives at the NBA Awards in New York. Drake's song "In My Feelings," was named as one of the top songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu. (Photo by Evan AgostiniInvisionAP, File)

FILE - In this April 10, 2015 file photo, Lykke Li poses for a portrait at the 2015 Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Lykke Li's "Sex Money Feelings Die," was named as one of the top songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu. (Photo by Rich FuryInvisionAP)

PHOENIX (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth hit back-to-back homers, Dylan Cease pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and the San Diego Padres won their third game in a row, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-1 on Friday night.

Manny Machado hit a two-run homer. Cronenworth finished with three extra-base hits, adding two doubles.

The Padres had a big offensive game on the same night they learned they might be adding another good hitter. San Diego is close to acquiring two-time batting champion Luis Arráez in a deal with the Marlins.

“I think it's great — you're always looking for more offense and a left-handed bat to balance out the lineup,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “But listen, nothing's official. We'll leave it at that.”

The Diamondbacks have lost 10 straight series openers after beating the Colorado Rockies on opening day.

D-backs pitcher Slade Cecconi (1-2) retired the first nine batters he faced, but ran into trouble in the fourth. Jurickson Profar walked to start the inning and Tatis launched a shot to left-center — his seventh homer of the season.

Cronenworth followed with another homer to make it 3-0 and rookie Jackson Merrill broke an 0-for-20 stretch at the plate with a one-out RBI double for a 4-0 lead.

Cronenworth had a down 2023 season, but has looked much more like the hitter who was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022 through the first month of this season. He's batting .279 with six homers and 25 RBIs.

It was Cronenworth’s second straight game with a homer. He hit a grand slam in the team’s 6-2 victory over the Reds on Wednesday.

“It's the right approach with the right swing,” Shildt said. “He's married both. He's driving the ball to all different parts of the field and not trying to do to much.”

Cecconi didn't make it out of the fifth, giving up six runs over 4 1/3 innings.

The Padres' three-homer outburst provided plenty of support for Cease (4-2), the hard-throwing right-hander who gave up just one run on three hits while striking out eight. He didn't allow a walk.

“I think my fastball command was a lot better, which is really a lot of the battle,” Cease said. “When I'm getting my fastball where it needs to go, it opens up a lot of stuff.”

Machado made it 7-0 in the fifth with a two-run homer to left center off reliever Matt Bowman. The scorched line drive came off Machado's bat at 111.7 mph.

The sliding D-backs — defending National League champions — have lost 10 of their past 15 games and fell to 14-19 for the season.

“We got beat tonight,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "We got out-managed, we got out-pitched, we got out-hit, we got out-coached. We've got to find a way to get the job done and play our type of baseball. That's the bottom line.

“We're grinding away. We're trying.”

Arizona finished with just three hits. Eugenio Suárez had an RBI single in the fifth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: Lovullo told reporters that closer Paul Sewald (oblique) and OF Alex Thomas (hamstring) could return to the active roster as soon as Tuesday against the Reds.

UP NEXT

The D-backs will throw RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-1, 4.63 ERA) while the Padres will counter with RHP Michael King (2-3, 5.00 ERA) on Saturday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, left, celebrates his double as San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, front right, of South Korea, and umpire Phil Cuzzi (10) look for the baseball during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt watches the action on the field during the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado (13) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run as Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker, left, pauses at first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Matt Bowman, center, rubs up a new baseball after giving up a two-run home run to San Diego Padres' Manny Machado, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado points to the sky as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, right, slides safely into second base with a double as San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, of South Korea, applies a late tag during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Padres' Manny Machado (13) during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)