Padres reliever Daniel Camarena hits a grand slam off Max Scherzer, a breakdown
What Happened
In a thrilling moment at Petco Park, San Diego Padres relief pitcher Daniel Camarena, a 28-year-old making just his second major league appearance, steps up to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning against star Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer. The Padres are trailing 8-2 and Camarena has already struck out Scherzer once earlier in the game. With the bases loaded and two outs, Camarena digs in against the future Hall of Famer. Scherzer tries to pound the zone, but Camarena is locked in, fouling off a tough 0-2 pitch. On the next offering, Camarena recognizes the off-speed pitch and unleashes a powerful swing, sending the ball soaring deep into the San Diego night. The crowd erupts as Camarena's grand slam clears the fence, capping an incredible comeback for the Padres. Camarena's brother, watching from the stands, drops to his knees in joyous disbelief at the sight of the improbable blast. Meanwhile, Scherzer can only shake his head in frustration as he watches the ball sail over the wall. Camarena rounds the bases, calmly spinning his gold chain as he trots home to give the Padres the lead. The Padres' home broadcast team captures the magic of the moment, with the announcer exclaiming, "Camarena! Are you kidding me? The Padres pitcher, brought up from El Paso, with a grand slam - unbelievable!" The away broadcast is equally stunned, with the announcer remarking, "Might be time to blow him away... Are you kidding me?" This remarkable moment is all the more impressive considering Camarena's journeyman path to the major leagues. After 11 seasons in the minors, the San Diego native is making the most of his opportunity, delivering a game-winning grand slam off one of baseball's premier pitchers. The Padres complete the comeback, winning the game and giving their fans a moment they'll never forget.
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentbaseball has blessed us once again with
an unreal heartwarming Amazing Story
this guy's name is Daniel Camarena he's
been in the miners for 11 years he's
from San Diego he's pitching for the
second time ever in San Diego he just
got called back up on this day he's
facing opposing pitcher Max Scherzer and
he strikes him out because that's what
you're supposed to do in the opposing
pitcher is up to the dish he did give up
a two-run home run so it's eight nothing
the Padres have to come back tatis goes
deep Machado gets hit Scherzer gives up
a single here and then scherzer's gonna
hit Hosmer on the foot so now the bases
are loaded there's two outs Daniel
Camarena has to hit because they need a
lot of length out of him he's a pitcher
he's a rookie he's not supposed to do
anything in this spot but Scherzer has
to throw strikes because he doesn't want
to walk in a run to the pitcher this is
his out so he fills up the zone right
there Owen one now next pitch right down
the middle again well in the zone fouled
back Camarena knows he's got a swing so
here's the O2 pitch and okay he read
that out of his hands sees it it was the
off speed probably coming fastball again
here Camarena is ready for it it's a
really nice pitch he goes down and
absolutely rocks it to the outfield for
the Grand Slam and the this is his
brother's reaction oh my God
ah
oh
he's gonna he's gonna drop down and just
get emotional there oh my God
I love this stuff oh this guy's having a
much different reaction he's just doing
the Hand Jive just doing the Hand Jive
getting his grease on and a little kiss
to the wrist there and a point up to the
sky brother oh my God oh my God
he played it cool around the whole bases
just like uh all right he's still got a
pitch gets the chain spins it right away
knows what to do with it this is an
incredible one incredible grand slam the
best thing it mattered the Padres
completed the comeback and won the game
man that's a nice piece of hitting from
any player yet alone a pitcher he was
drafted as a two-way player and he knows
it that's why he's so cocky that's why
he can spin the chain so nicely you do
have to hear some of the broadcasts so
here's the away broadcast right before
the pitch is thrown guessing what
Scherzer is gonna do might be time to
blow him away
are you kidding me
and here's the home broadcast Best In
The Biz listen to this call Camarena
[Applause]
are you kidding me the Padres pitcher
that is brought up from El Paso the San
Diego again
to the Grand Slam
unbelievable my gosh
Max Scherzer
there you go just another amazing moment
baseball has blessed us with