PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Walker crushed Triple-A pitching for the better part of four seasons, wondering if he'd ever get the chance to do the same thing in the big leagues. Finally, some playing time opened with the Arizona Diamondbacks this spring.
With each passing homer, it's obvious the 28-year-old has seized his opportunity.
Walker hit two homers, including his first career grand slam, to lead Arizona over the San Diego Padres 6-5 on Saturday night.
"I feel like that I've proved to a certain point that I can help this team win," Walker said. "A lot of that has to do with the guys around me, the staff and everyone from top to bottom. It means a lot."
The first baseman continued a breakout season with his 28th and 29th homers. He came into the year with 88 career at-bats over four seasons and an uncertain future, but has found a home in the middle of the Diamondbacks' lineup this season.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Walker had been "laying in the weeds" while waiting for regular playing time at the big-league level.
"It's a great player development story," Lovullo said. "It's a story of perseverance, waiting for your chance and making the most of it. He's done a tremendous job earning every single special moment this year."
The Padres lost for the 14th time in 16 games. They had a 5-1 lead in the seventh inning, but Arizona rallied with five runs, including Walker's grand slam deep into the left-center seats off San Diego's David Bednar (0-2).
San Diego hit three homers, including solo shots by Luis Urias and Eric Hosmer and a two-run blast by Manny Machado.
Hosmer has 99 RBIs this season and could reach 100 RBIs for the second time in his career in Sunday's final game.
Garrett Richards started for the Padres and gave up just one run over 3 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked four.
The 31-year-old Richards is trying to get back to his 2014 and '15 form, when he was one of the up-and-coming pitchers in the American League with the Los Angeles Angels. Injuries have limited him to just 31 starts over the past four seasons.
He had Tommy John surgery in 2018 and then hurt his shoulder when trying to come back earlier this year. He made his first start of the season on Sept. 16 and is signed through the 2020 season.
"I think these were great, great starts to build off of moving into the offseason," Richards said.
Arizona's Robbie Ray gave up four runs over six innings in his career-high 33rd start of the season. He struck out 10.