Minnesota Twins at San Diego Padres

Ty France homered, Randy Vásquez pitched seven excellent innings, and the Padres opened their homestand with a convincing 6-2 victory over the Twins on Friday night. In the process, they remained a game ahead of Arizona in the race for the final National League Wild Card spot. Here are some takeaways from Petco Park: **Vive Ty France** What a pickup France was. Drafted in the 34th round by San Diego in 2015, the Padres reunited with France this offseason on a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training. He’s emerged as arguably their best hitter and a fixture in the cleanup spot -- not to mention an elite defender at first base. “We knew he was a solid player, going to play great first base and give you really good at-bats,” said manager Craig Stammen. “Did we see him hitting 4-hole and leading our offense the way he is? I don’t think so. But I also think his greatest impact has been in the clubhouse.” France got the Padres on the board in the first inning on Friday night with a no-doubter of a two-run homer to the second deck in left field. It was his 18th of the season and the 99th of his career. He tacked on a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly, along with more stellar first-base work. It was quite a display from France, who was facing his former club. He played 101 games with the Twins last season before he was traded to Toronto at the Deadline. France’s OPS with the Padres is .872, nearly 200 points better than his time in Minnesota last season. “I’m just feeling like the old Ty again, which is nice,” France said. “It was a rough two-year stretch where I kind of lost it a little bit.”