Ethan Salas became the youngest MLB player with a walk-off hit since current Padres teammate Manny Machado in 2012.
Ethan Salas has only been in the majors for a few weeks, but he's already joining some impressive company.
The San Diego Padres rookie delivered the first walk-off hit of his career Saturday night, driving home Jake Cronenworth in the 10th inning of a 7-6 victory over the Miami Marlins.
In the process, the 20-year-old became the youngest MLB player with a walk-off hit since one of his current teammates, Manny Machado, accomplished the feat on Sept. 13, 2012.
Salas lined an 0-2 pitch up the middle to score Cronenworth, setting off a celebration at Petco Park.
"It's different, man," Salas told MLB.com. "You got 50,000 going ballistic for you and the boys ready for you if everything works out."
The moment continued a remarkable stretch for Salas, who was called up for the first time in early September.
His major-league career began quietly. Salas went hitless in his first 15 at-bats before tripling for his first MLB hit against San Francisco on Sept. 13.
That breakthrough happened as the Padres were surging back into the National League Wild Card race.
Three days later, Salas' bat erupted.
He hit the first two home runs of his major-league career in a 9-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies. At 20 years and 107 days old, Salas became the youngest catcher in MLB history to hit two home runs in one game.
Saturday brought another milestone.
Manager Craig Stammen sent Salas to the plate as a pinch hitter with Cronenworth at third base and one out in the bottom of the 10th. Salas fell behind in the count before delivering the game-winning single.
"Good at-bat for him, fouled off a pitch, line drive right up the middle," Stammen told MLB.com. "That's what that kid can do."
The hit mattered well beyond Salas' place in the record book.
San Diego earned its 12th victory in 13 games and moved into sole possession of the second National League Wild Card spot. The Padres improved to 86-69 and moved another step closer to securing a postseason berth.
It has been a rapid progression for a player who didn't collect his first major-league hit until a week ago.
First came the triple. Then came the historic two-homer performance. Now Salas has his first walk-off hit and another connection to Machado in the MLB record book.
"Living the dream, man," Salas told MLB.com.
