Fernando Tatis Jr. and newcomer Austin Hays power Padres to 7-2 victory over Astros

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a go-ahead, three-run homer and pinch-hitter Austin Hays connected for a two-run shot in his first at-bat with San Diego as the Padres beat the AL West-leading Houston Astros 7-2 on Sunday.

Jackson Merrill and Gavin Sheets also went deep for the Padres, who took two of three in the series and remained one game out of a National League playoff spot.

Randy Vásquez and three relievers combined on a two-hitter to help the Padres to their 12th victory in 16 games.

Vásquez (8-6) pitched five solid innings, retiring his final 10 batters after allowing Daulton Varsho's two-run homer with two outs in the second. It was Varsho's eighth home run this season and first since being acquired from Toronto before the trade deadline last Monday.

The Padres began their comeback in the bottom of the inning when Merrill homered to straightaway center field off Cristian Javier (1-3). It was Merrill's 18th.

Tatis hit a 421-foot drive to the third level of the Western Metal Supply Co. brick warehouse in the left-field corner with two outs in the fourth to give San Diego a 4-2 lead. It was his 11th.

Sheets greeted reliever AJ Blubaugh with a leadoff shot to right in the sixth. It was his 15th.

Hays, signed earlier in the day, batted for Sheets in the eighth and homered to left off Bryan King. It was his second.

Vásquez held the Astros to two hits with one strikeout and no walks.

Astros: RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-0, 2.84 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday night's series opener at San Francisco, which will counter with RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0, 3.18).

Padres: RHP Casey Mize (4-7, 3.40 ERA) makes his first home start since being acquired from Detroit last Monday when he opposes Milwaukee RHP Logan Henderson (6-1, 2.70).

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

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve reacts after grounding out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, celebrates with teammate Freddy Fermin at home plate after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. advances to first base after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. runs near third base after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. tosses his bat after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Cristóbal Alfaro scored twice as Mexico retained its CONCACAF U-20 Championship soccer title with a 2-0 victory over the United States in the final on Sunday.

The Mexican defender opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a powerful, close-range header from a set piece. Alfaro sealed the victory with another header in the 69th.

“It’s a dream come true. Although I scored, this is a collective achievement. I thank the fans for their unconditional support,” Alfaro said in a post-match interview. “It was an incredible experience to win at home.”

The U.S. team was reduced to 10 men just before halftime when captain Chris Applewhite received a red card after a VAR review for a foul on Hugo Camberos.

Mexico finished the tournament unbeaten and only conceded one goal.

Mexico and the U.S. were already assured of spots in next year's Under-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan ahead of the final. Mexico and the U.S. will also participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by reaching the final.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Mexico's Santiago Sandoval, right, and the United States' Joshua Torquato battle for the ball during the CONCACAF U-20 final soccer match in Mexico City, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

United States' Jaidyn Contreras, left, and Mexico's Henrique Simeone fight for the ball during the CONCACAF U-20 final soccer match in Mexico City, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

United States' Brandon Dayesr, right, heads the ball next to Mexico's Cristóbal Alfaro during the CONCACAF U-20 final soccer match in Mexico City, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Mexico players celebrate after winning the the CONCACAF U-20 final soccer tournament against the United States in Mexico City, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Mexico players celebrate after winning the the CONCACAF U-20 final soccer tournament against the United States in Mexico City, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)