Ethan Salas becomes youngest catcher with a multi-homer game as Padres beat Rockies 9-3

DENVER (AP) — Ethan Salas hit his first two home runs and became the youngest catcher in major league history with a multi-homer game as the San Diego Padres beat the Colorado Rockies 9-3 on Wednesday night.

San Diego moved 3 1/2 games ahead of Arizona for the last National League wild card when the Diamondbacks lost 4-3 to Miami at home.

Salas opened the second inning with a first-pitch shot off Rockies starter Mason Adams (0-1) that traveled 426 feet to center field, becoming the youngest catcher to homer in the majors since 19-year-old Iván Rodríguez in 1991.

Salas added a two-run drive that capped San Diego’s four-run fifth and made it 8-1. At 20 years, 107 days, he broke the record held by Butch Wynegar, who was 20 years, 192 days when he hit two home runs for Minnesota on Sept. 22, 1976.

San Diego (83-69) won for the ninth time in 10 games and prevented the rival Los Angeles Dodgers from clinching the NL West title — at least for one night.

Robbie Ray (13-8) allowed three runs and three hits with six strikeouts in six innings for the Padres.

Samad Taylor and Ty France each drove in two runs for San Diego, and Jackson Merrill had three hits.

France hit a sacrifice fly that drove in Fernando Tatis Jr. Jake Cronenworth added an RBI single to give the Padres a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Kyle Karros hit a two-run homer in the sixth for the Rockies, and Adael Amador had an RBI groundout in the first.

Taylor singled leading off the fourth, stole second base and scored on a triple by Dustin Harris to make it 4-1. Taylor added a two-run single in the fifth.

Adams allowed six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Padres RHP Michael King (11-9, 3.03 ERA) starts Thursday against RHP Tanner Gordon (1-4, 5.55) in the series finale.

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San Diego Padres' Samad Taylor breaks from the batter's box after connecting for a single to drive in two runs off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Nick Frasso in the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros throws to first base to put out San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth in the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres' Dustin Harris breaks from the batter's box after connecting for an RBI triple off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Mason Adams in the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres' Ethan Salas gestures to the bullpen as he circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Nick Frasso in the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)wld

San Diego Padres catcher Ethan Salas watches his two-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Nick Frasso in the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

PHOENIX (AP) — Jakob Marsee hit a two-run homer and Sandy Alcantara earned his first career save as the Miami Marlins held off the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Wednesday night.

With the Marlins (76-77) on the fringe of the National League playoff race, manager Clayton McCullough called on his ace starter for the ninth inning — two days after Alcantara threw 101 pitches in a no-decision at Arizona.

Alcantara, who leads the majors with 206 innings pitched this season, got two deep flyouts before walking Lars Nootbaar. Pinch-runner Jordan Lawlar attempted to steal second but was thrown out by catcher Joe Mack to end it.

The Diamondbacks (80-73) fell 3 1/2 games behind San Diego for the final NL wild card with nine remaining.

Marsee connected for his 11th homer in the third against Merrill Kelly (9-14) with Javier Sanoja on base. Marsee also doubled to start Miami’s two-run second inning. The Marlins eventually loaded the bases and Heriberto Hernández drove in a run with an infield single and another run scored on third baseman Nolan Arenado’s throwing error.

Hernández had four of Miami's 10 hits.

Pavin Smith, Gabriel Moreno and Arenado homered for Arizona. Moreno had three hits to raise his batting average to .307; the Phillies' Luis Arraez leads the National League at .316.

Kelly, making his 200th major league start, lasted 4 2/3 innings. He gave up seven hits and four runs (three earned), walked two and struck out nine.

Ryne Nelson, just activated from the 60-day injured list, pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his first appearance since June 15. He had been sidelined with a strained right elbow.

Marlins starter Ryan Gusto also didn’t make it out of the fifth, allowing eight hits and two runs. Cade Gibson (5-1) got five outs for the win.

Alcantara has made 201 big league starts. His eight previous relief appearances came as a rookie with St. Louis in 2017.

Marlins: Following a day off, RHP Tyler Phillips (5-6, 3.55 ERA) starts Friday in San Diego.

Diamondbacks: Begin a three-game series Friday against the New York Yankees at Chase Field.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Miami Marlins' Jakob Marsee, left, celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Marlins' Deyvison De Los Santos during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins' Jakob Marsee, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Marlins' Javier Sanoja (8) as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno, left, pauses at home plate during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara, left, celebrates a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Marlins manager Clayton McCullough after a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept 14, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)