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Justin Upton hits 3-run homer in ninth, Padres beat Mets

Jul 31, 2015 - 12:12 AM NEW YORK (AP) Justin Upton's three-run homer through a driving rain with two outs in the ninth inning set off a raucous dugout celebration.

If it was the last time this group of Padres was together this season, the send-off was appropriately lengthy.

Upton's go-ahead drive before the second of two rain delays in the ninth completed San Diego's stunning comeback from a six-run deficit Thursday in an 8-7 victory over the New York Mets.

''Bedlam. It was crazy,'' Padres manager Pat Murphy said of the mood in the dugout after the home run. ''To have it happen against a pitcher of that quality is a testament to how good he is, how clutch he is. They had a good time ever since. It's been a good time around here for about three hours.''

With a darkening sku, Jeurys Familia entered with a 7-5 lead and got two quick outs in the ninth before a torrential downpour stopped play. Frustrated, the Mets closer stood on the mound as the other players cleared the field.

When play resumed 44 minutes later, Derrick Norris fell behind two strikes before singling for his career-high fifth hit. Matt Kemp singled as the rain began again and Upton, in what could be his final at-bat with the Padres, sent the first pitch soaring to right-center for San Diego's first lead.

''He was fine to come back after the delay. Thirty minutes isn't that bad,'' Mets manager Terry Collins said. ''He just has to locate. The pitches he made were over the middle of the plate.''

Upton was not thinking about what might transpire before Friday's non-waiver trade deadline.

''Absolutely not'' Upton said. ''Livin' in them moment. Whatever happens tomorrow happens - or doesn't happen. Just taking it day to day.''

Earlier in the game, Upton hugged his teammates in the dugout as if he was saying goodbye after a trade.

''I thought that was funny,'' Upton said. ''That's what happens when people like to tweet everything.''

Afrer Yangervis Solarte grounded out, play was halted again, this time for 2:52. Craig Kimbrel then was perfect in a 5-minute ninth for his 30th save, in front of just several hundred fans.

''We all stayed away from him,'' Murphy said of how they treated the closer during the delay. ''You could see his intent.''

Marcos Mateo (1-0) pitched the eighth for the win.

Familia (2-1) dropped to 0 for 3 in save opportunities since the All-Star break. He was 27 of 29 before the four-day hiatus in mid-July.

New York lost its second straight to the Padres (49-53), falling three games behind Washington in the NL East heading into a weekend series between division rivals.

With San Diego trailing 7-1 in the seventh inning, Norris hit his second grand slam of the season, off Hansel Robles, who was facing his first batter after Bobby Parnell loaded the bases. Kemp had an RBI single in the sixth off Jonathon Niese for San Diego, winners of 8 of 12.

Only hours after the premature announcement on social media of a deal that never happened and left Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores in tears on the field, all was quiet on the trade front at Citi Field a day ahead of Friday's non-waiver trade deadline in a game between two teams expected to be active for different reasons.

The Mets had taken a 4-0 lead on Daniel Murphy's sacrifice fly and Curtis Granderson's three-run homer off Andrew Cashner. They upped it to 7-1 in the bottom of the sixth on Juan Uribe's first homer for New York, his ninth overall. Juan Lagares had a sacrifice fly and Ruben Tejada a run-scoring single after Clint Barmes' fielding error at shortstop.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: RHP Brandon Morrow (shoulder inflammation) had his scheduled rehab start scratched because of soreness in his shoulder. He will return to San Diego to be examined by a team doctor. ''Don't know how significant it is,'' Murphy said.

Mets: The Mets optioned C Anthony Recker to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for Travis d'Arnaud, who will be activated off the DL Friday.

UP NEXT

Padres: Ian Kennedy (6-9) is scheduled to start against Miami after the trade deadline passes, but the former 21-game winner's name has been included as someone San Diego might move.

Mets: Matt Harvey brings a 1.34 ERA over seven starts against the Nationals into the series opener. Bryce Harper is 0 for 14 against the Dark Knight. Ian Desmond is 5 for 17 (.294) with a double and homer against him.

HAND BALL

World Cup soccer champion Abby Wambach threw out the ceremonial first pitch. She made her toss from in front of the mound while wearing her medal from the U.S. team's recent victory.