News Padres Team Notes

San Diego Padres cannot rush Yu Darvish back on the mound

San Diego Padres v Kansas City Royals

San Diego Padres Yu Darvish | Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images

The veteran righthander too valuable for postseason run.

Let us all take a deep breath.

Injuries dampened the mood of the San Diego Padres after snapping their six-game losing streak. However, the team received good news on one of their mending starting pitchers. Yu Darvish has begun a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso. He threw four innings in a mid-week start against Las Vegas.

It was only one start though, as he’s now back in San Diego.

The hope is Darvish will pitch again relatively soon. But before the Padres pencil in his season debut, the organization cannot rush him back on the mound without being certain Darvish is injury-free. Right elbow inflammation has kept him sidelined since mid-March. A healthy Darvish will determine the course of the Friars’ season.


Darvish is expected to be examined in the coming days

(from @sdutKevinAcee’s newsletter) pic.twitter.com/YjSBabZ5lT

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) May 24, 2025

Upcoming schedule provides leeway to delay Darvish’s debut​


No question, the Friar Faithful should be encouraged with his progress. However, rushing him back into the starting rotation could backfire. The Padres need his experience and ability to utilize his entire pitching repertoire, but not at the expense of exposing him to injury.

When the Friars return to Petco Park, they get a break in the schedule. Their next homestand will be against the Miami Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates before they head north to face the San Francisco Giants.

Considering the state of the offense, the Padres could get their bats back on track against two teams struggling to play .500 baseball. It is an opportunity for the lineup to put together good at-bats before heading back on the road. Hopefully, the bats come alive before the Los Angeles Dodgers series at Petco Park from June 9-11.

How to ease Darvish into starting rotation​


Having the schedule working to their advantage allows the Padres to ease Darvish back into the rotation. Manager Mike Shildt will have options, as his return could force him to implement a six-man rotation. Shildt must be cautious with this approach to avoid overworking an already exhausted bullpen.

The skipper’s best option might be having Stephen Kolek or Randy Vasquez shadowing Darvish out of the bullpen on his start day. It will give Shildt two arms to pitch multiple innings in the contest. The added arm in the pen saves the Padres’ high-leverage relievers for the tough road ahead.

It might be too early to foresee Darvish’s role until we see how he recovers from his rehab start (which doesn’t seem to be great). Having a healthy, consistent starting rotation will help secure another postseason appearance. The Friars cannot rush Darvish back on the mound, as it may make him susceptible to re-injuring his right elbow.

The National League West will be a fight to the finish. The division crown could be decided in the final days of the regular season.

Having an experienced starting pitcher like Darvish is a difference-maker. The Padres cannot jeopardize his availability by rushing him back.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/5/...dres-cannot-rush-yu-darvish-back-on-the-mound
 
Game 51: San Diego Padres at Atlanta Braves

San Diego Padres v Toronto Blue Jays

Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images

Your game thread for May 25, 2025.

San Diego Padres at Atlanta Braves, May 25, 2025, 1:10 p.m. PST​


Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

Watch: Padres TV

Listen: 97.3 The Fan



Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

  • Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
  • Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
  • Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
  • The commenting system was updated during the offseason. They’re still working on optimizing it for Game Day Threads like ours. If you don’t like clicking “Load More Comments”, remember that the “Z” key can be your friend. It loads up the latest comments automatically.

GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/5/25/24435001/game-51-san-diego-padres-at-atlanta-braves
 
Padres slug their way past Braves, 5-3

San Diego Padres v Atlanta Braves

Gavin Sheets and Manny Machado | Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Gavin Sheets, Jake Cronenworth, Manny Machado homer to give San Diego win

Jake Cronenworth broke a 3-3 tie with a solo home run to right field to to give the San Diego Padres a 4-3 lead in route to a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, Sunday.


Our adorable second baseman pic.twitter.com/VQdIPZoTNy

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 25, 2025

Manny Machado added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning with a one-out solo home run to right field off Atlanta reliever Dylan Lee.


Manny Machado goes deep for the third @Padres homer of the day and extends the lead! pic.twitter.com/c8t7fZxVik

— MLB (@MLB) May 25, 2025

The bullpen combination of Jason Adam and Robert Suarez worked two scoreless innings to help San Diego win the weekend series. It also earned Suarez his 17th save of the season.

Cronenworth’s home run came off Atlanta starter Spencer Schwellenbach. He was on the mound in the seventh despite allowing a two-run home run to Gavin Sheets in the top of the sixth inning that tied the game, 3-3.


Sheets sent that one to the seats. pic.twitter.com/mYT5o4z1Q3

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 25, 2025

Prior to the Sheets home run, Schwellenbach worked through the San Diego lineup without much issue after allowing a run in the top of the first inning.

Jackson Merrill lined a ball through the infield and into right field in his first plate appearance. The hit allowed Machado to score from second base to give the Padres a 1-0 lead.


Jackson gets us on the board! pic.twitter.com/Sw0t0Vt4ei

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 25, 2025

The Braves responded in the bottom of the second inning with a run on an Ozzie Albies double to right field that scored Austin Riley to make the score, 1-1.

Atlanta added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning off San Diego starter Dylan Cease. Nick Allen hit a one-out sacrifice fly that scored Alex Verdugo and moved Albies from second to third. The Braves got their second run of the inning when Martin Maldonado was unable to block a pitch in the dirt that rolled behind him and allowed Albies to score to give Atlanta a 3-1 lead.

Cease worked five innings and allowed three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. Schwellenbach finished his day after seven innings with four runs allowed, two earned, on seven hits with 11 strikeouts and no walks.

The Padres return home to take on the Miami Marlins, Monday at 5:40 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/5/25/24437132/padres-slug-their-way-past-braves-5-3
 
Padres overcome three-run deficit to beat Marlins in extra innings

Miami Marlins v San Diego Padres

Tyler Wade | Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

Randy Vasquez solid after shaky start, gives San Diego chance to come from behind

Tyler Wade raced home from third base, slid headfirst and touched the plate just ahead of the tag to help the San Diego Padres walk-off the Miami Marlins in 11 innings, Monday.


T-RIZZY pic.twitter.com/AaKBnCYgaW

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 27, 2025

Wade replaced Manny Machado at third base after Machado advanced from second on a Gavin Sheets ground out to second base. Xander Bogaerts was pitched around, and eventually intentionally walked to put runners at the corners.

Jake Cronenworth stepped to the plate with a chance to win the game for San Diego. He had the opportunity taken away when Miami reliever Cade Gibson spiked a pitch that got past the catcher and rolled toward the first base dugout. The ball rolled far enough away to allow Wade to score.

Machado was a major factor in the outcome of the game despite being replaced by Wade. Machado came to the plate with the Padres trailing the Marlins 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth. He led off with a solo home run to left field off Miami reliever Calvin Faucher that sailed 406 feet to make the score, 3-3.


Mr. 305 pic.twitter.com/TA6O67QY50

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 27, 2025

Randy Vasquez started the game for the Padres and ran into trouble in the top of the first inning. The Marlins used three singles and a double to score two runs in the frame and jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.

Vasquez was touched up again in the top of the second when he allowed a solo home run to Jesus Sanchez, who hit a line drive to centerfield that got over the outstretched glove of Jackson Merrill and the wall to put Miami up, 3-0.


Jesús Sánchez - Miami Marlins (3)
pic.twitter.com/pP12fn9Ejj

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) May 27, 2025

Ryan Weathers returned to San Diego as the starting pitcher for Marlins and held the Padres to one hit through three innings. San Diego was able to get to him in the bottom of the fourth with a hit, an error and a walk. Jose Iglesias came up with two outs and the bases loaded and lined a double down the third base line. Bogaerts and Cronenworth came in to score and cut the Marlins lead to 3-2.


Iglesias brings in two! pic.twitter.com/chqbtkRker

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) May 27, 2025

Vasquez held Miami scoreless through four innings after the three runs allowed in the first two innings. He completed his outing with a final line of 6 1/3 innings pitched with three runs allowed on six hits with five strikeouts and a walk.

Weathers worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings after the fourth. He finished the night after allowing a walk to Cronenworth in the sixth. Weathers completed 5 2/3 innings with two runs allowed, neither were earned, on three hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

David Morgan made his MLB debut for the Padres in the top of the eighth. He faced two batters and induced a line out to first base and a pop out to second base to end the top of the frame.


David Morgan gets out of the 8th in his MLB debut pic.twitter.com/iVnqKc3qEX

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) May 27, 2025

The Padres play the Marlins, Tuesday at 6:40 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/5/...-run-deficit-to-beat-marlins-in-extra-innings
 
If the closer opts out, the Padres should let Robert Suarez walk

Los Angeles Angels v San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres Robert Suarez | Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Age and injuries will be contributing factors in the Friars’ decision.

Former major league general manager Jim Bowden wrote in The Athletic (paid subscription service) that San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez is expected to opt out of his contract to explore the free agent market next offseason. Extending the star reliever would be a mistake and should not be a top priority for the Padres.

Friars have other closer options in the pen​


This scenario has been in play since he signed a five-year/$46 million deal with the Padres three years ago. However, Suarez will be 35 years old in 2026, and the possibility of his production declining is very real. The Friars do have other closer options in their bullpen.

Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon are excellent setup relievers. It remains unclear if they can be identified as a cornerstone piece to the pen. Adam is 5-0 with a 1.35 ERA in 26 appearances, and Morejon is 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA in 25 appearances this season. Each pitcher has limited experience in the closer role.

Suarez being a late bloomer, seeking a final payday​


Suarez would attract attention from teams willing to invest in adding a quality closer to their bullpen. His dominance speaks for itself as a closer. He posted a 2.35 ERA with a league-leading 17 saves in 24 appearances this season. Suarez’s raw ability is housed inside a 34-year-old body.

He could be described as a late bloomer. He made his major league debut at 31 with the Padres in 2022. Suarez will only secure a substantial contract in free agency if he remains healthy and effective for the remainder of this season. That is a necessary qualifier for all pitchers in their mid-thirties where season-ending surgeries followed by a lengthy rehab have become the norm in the sport.

This scenario has hold true for Suarez as well. He has spent time on the injury list with knee surgery in 2022 and right elbow inflammation in 2023. With today’s trends in baseball, injuries will be a part of the final stage of his career. You cannot be surprised if the Friars have trepidation about offering a rich contract extension to the righty because of his age and injury history.

Preller holds all the cards​


No one has the insight if both sides are willing to commit to a contract extension before the end of the 2025 campaign. Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller has not expressed interest in beginning contract extension talks with his star closer’s representation. He may have placed them on the back burner to prevent the negotiations becoming a distraction for Suarez.

Other players with opt-out clauses have played the entire season before agreeing to a contract extension with the franchise. If Suarez’s future production value is not in question, it might prompt Preller to become more aggressive in securing a new deal. However, he will need financial approval from ownership before completing the deal.

If there is an opportunity for a short-term agreement, it could be mutually beneficial for both parties. But it seems Suarez is betting on himself to get a big-money payday at season’s end.

No one can argue that Suarez is a quality closer. Perhaps, the best in the majors. But for how much longer is the question?

Extending him beyond a few seasons would be detrimental for the Friars. Suarez is an aging reliever whose productivity should decline during his next contract.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/5/...-out-the-padres-should-let-robert-suarez-walk
 
Bullpen falters, San Diego falls to Miami

Miami Marlins v San Diego Padres

Gavin Sheets | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Gavin Sheets two-run homer in the seventh not enough to lift Padres to win

The San Diego Padres had a sweep of the Miami Marlins within their grasp, but a three-run top of the eighth let the Fish off the hook and resulted in the Padres losing the final game of the series, 10-8 at Petco Park, Wednesday.

The teams traded blows throughout the game, which included a two-run home run by Gavin Sheets to give the Padres an 8-7 lead in the bottom of the seventh.


Goat Milk pic.twitter.com/RmmJDlPhp2

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 28, 2025

Jason Adam started the inning on the mound for San Diego and hit Connor Norby in the head with a changeup. Adam got a ground ball to third from Nick Fortes, but Manny Machado was unable to start the double play and Norby advanced to second base and Fortes reached safely.


Manny Machado leads MLB with 10 errors this season.

— Padres Data Daily (@PadresDataDaily) May 28, 2025

Wandy Peralta came in for Adam and induced a groundball for a force out at second from Jesus Sanchez. Norby advanced to third and Fortes was out at second. Peralta got Javier Sanoja to fly out to shallow right for the second out in the inning. Victor Mesa Jr. drew a walk to load the bases and Agustin Ramirez singled to centerfield and drove in two runs to give Miami a 9-8 lead.

Eric Wagaman then followed with a double to left field, which scored one run to give the Marlins a 10-8 lead. Ramirez was thrown out at the plate on a relay from Sheets to Xander Bogaerts to Elias Diaz at the plate.

The Padres went down in order in the eighth and ninth innings to end the game.

Sheets led the San Diego offense with two hits, including the home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Bogaerts also contributed two hits and scored a run in the loss.

San Diego is off Thursday, but opens a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday at 6:40 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/5/28/24439038/bullpen-falters-san-diego-falls-to-miami
 
Game 54: Miami Marlins at San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres v Toronto Blue Jays

Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Your game thread for May 28, 2025.

Miami Marlins at San Diego Padres, May 28, 2025, 1:10 p.m. PST​


Location: Petco Park, San Diego, CA

Watch: Padres TV

Listen: 97.3 The Fan



Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

  • Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
  • Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
  • Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
  • The commenting system was updated during the offseason. They’re still working on optimizing it for Game Day Threads like ours. If you don’t like clicking “Load More Comments”, remember that the “Z” key can be your friend. It loads up the latest comments automatically.

GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/5/28/24436773/game-54-miami-marlins-at-san-diego-padres
 
Identifying Padres’ potential trade deadline needs

Miami Marlins v San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres A.J. Preller | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

A.J. Preller is making a list and checking it twice

Playing well above the .500 mark, the San Diego Padres find themselves in the middle of a highly-contested National League West division race.

As we head into June, the July 31 trade deadline is just a little over two months away. The Friar Faithful knows full well that there is always room for improvement. It seems like a timeless tradition to identify the Padres’ potential needs at the deadline.

Adding another outfield bat​


The offensive production from the left field platoon has been a major disappointment. Brandon Lockridge and Jason Heyward have combined to hit .184 with 2 HR and 16 RBI. Each has failed to hit with runners in scoring position.

The Padres’ recent struggles with scoring runs could have been different had Lockridge and Heyward been able to capitalize in these situations. A sacrifice fly or a productive out that advances a runner 90 feet is better than striking out. The lineup is designed to create traffic on the basepaths, but the bottom third of the order has struggled to pass the baton back to the top of the order.

The Friars have been searching for a new left fielder since Jurickson Profar left the organization via free agency last winter. The situation has become so drastic that Gavin Sheets is now playing the position. He looked decent, but his limited defensive range might become a concern as the season progresses.

The lack of production cannot continue much longer. Acquiring another productive outfield bat should be Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller’s top priority at the trade deadline.

Pitching, pitching, and more pitching​


You can set your watch to it, as Preller will add a pitcher to the starting rotation or bullpen at the trade deadline. Typically, pitching is a major need for all contending teams each summer. Preller understands the Friars have gone through most of their pitching depth during the first two months of the season.

Injuries have decimated the starting rotation, so it is not surprising that Preller may acquire another starter. Michael King (shoulder), Yu Darvish (elbow inflammation), and Joe Musgrove (Tommy John) are on the injury list. King and Darvish are expected back at some point this summer, and Stephen Kolak has done a terrific job filling the fifth spot in the Padres’ rotation after Kyle Hart failed to seize the opportunity earlier this season.

While already boasting a strong bullpen, Preller will seek to add more depth to maintain their dominance in closing out games. He will look to bolster the pen by acquiring an experienced arm or a young, controllable prospect who can handle the demands of pursuing a postseason berth. Securing a reliable reliever will help in the late innings to support a strong outing from that day’s starter.

The Friar Faithful must trust the process and be confident that Preller can identify the holes on the roster. The unknown factor is the quality of talent available on the trade market.

But it is a guarantee the Padres will have replacement options in place at the deadline.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/5/30/24440081/identifying-padres-potential-trade-deadline-needs
 
Padres shutout in loss to Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates v San Diego Padres

Bradgley Rodriguez | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

San Diego held to just two hits by Pittsburgh pitchers

The San Diego Padres managed just two hits against Bailey Falter and the rest of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers and took a 5-0 loss at Petco Park, Saturday.

Fernando Tatis Jr. singled in the first inning and Martin Maldonado singled in the third inning, but that was all the offense San Diego could put together. Both of those hits came against Falter and the Pittsburgh relievers did not allow a hit in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

The Pirates started the scoring early against Padres starter Dylan Cease. They scored a run in the first inning on an RBI-single by Bryan Reynolds to score Oneil Cruz, after he doubled to start the inning, and held a 1-0 lead.

Pittsburgh added to its lead in the fourth inning with another RBI-single, this time by Ke’Bryan Hayes, who hit a line drive single up the middle after an Adam Frazier two-out double to make the score, 2-0. The third run for the Pirates came in the fifth inning on an Andrew McCutchen solo home run to give them a 3-0 lead.


Andrew McCutchen blasts a double-deck shot to extend the @Pirates lead ‍☠️ pic.twitter.com/OaVgO1aGJh

— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2025

Cease induced back-to-back ground ball outs and was taken out of the game after 4 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and a walk. Cease threw 95 pitches over that span and was replaced by Sean Reynolds.

Yuki Matsui was on the mound in relief of Sean Reynolds in the top of the seventh. He allowed one-out singles to Cruz and McCutchen. Bryan Reynolds doubled to right field to score Cruz and Spencer Horowitz singled on a pop fly to shallow left that landed just beyond the glove of Manny Machado to give Pittsburgh a 5-0 lead.

The highlight for San Diego came in the seventh when Bradgley Rodriguez made his MLB debut. His second big league pitch induced a weak ground ball back to Rodriguez that he turned and threw to Jake Cronenworth at second base and held threw to Luis Arraez at first to complete a double play and end the inning.


AURA HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED pic.twitter.com/iR6CoH3Q5n

— Giannis Auntiegotapoodle (@TooMuchMortons_) June 1, 2025

Rodriguez remained in the game in the eighth inning. He allowed a walk to Henry Davis and then induced two weak pop fly outs before he ended the frame with his first career strikeout against Cruz.


Bradgley's first @MLB strikeout is in the books. pic.twitter.com/hssMwT79oX

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 1, 2025

The Padres will attempt to win the series against the Pirates, Sunday at 2:10 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/5/31/24440892/padres-shutout-in-loss-to-pirates
 
Manny Machado, Tyler Wade get late-game RBIs to lead Padres to win

Pittsburgh Pirates v San Diego Padres

Tyler Wade | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

San Diego scores four runs in the seventh to take 2-of-3 from Pittsburgh

Manny Machado just missed a grand slam home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The ball was caught at the wall by Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz and Elias Diaz tagged up and scored from third base to give the San Diego Padres a 5-4 lead.


Manny Machado juuuust misses a grand slam but still gives the Padres the lead! pic.twitter.com/3qj9QTsmn8

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 1, 2025

Jackson Merrill followed Machado and drew a walk to reload the bases for Tyler Wade. Wade hit a line drive up the middle that struck Pittsburgh pitcher Caleb Ferguson and rolled off the back of the mound. Ferguson could not find the ball, Wade reached safely and Fernando Tatis Jr. came in to score to give San Diego a 6-4 lead en route to a series win.


Camouflage. pic.twitter.com/EJdoUTZRXR

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 1, 2025

Jason Adam pitched a scoreless top of the eighth inning and gave way to Padres closer Robert Suarez in the ninth. Suarez struck out two of the three batters he faced to secure the save and the win for San Diego.


Beat ‘em. pic.twitter.com/XBqFY3NlqI

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 2, 2025

Had Machado’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning made it out of the park, it would have been his second home run of the day. Machado started the scoring in the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning that put the Padres in front, 1-0.


This is your man? Yes. Look at the screen. That's mine. pic.twitter.com/cUPZ4jo7bs

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 1, 2025

Randy Vasquez started the game for San Diego and labored through 3 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs on six hits with three strikeout and three walks.

One of the walks allowed by Vasquez came against Cruz with one out in the third inning. Cruz stole second and Andrew McCutchen followed with a two-run home run to give the Pirates the lead.


Andrew McCutchen's 240th career home run as a Pirate puts the @Pirates in front! pic.twitter.com/MNRYfDGRT5

— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2025

Pittsburgh added to its lead with a Ke’Bryan Hayes single later in the inning that allowed Spencer Horwitz to score to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead. The final run of the game for Pittsburgh came off Vasquez in the top of the fourth. Adam Frazier connected on a solo home run to left field to lead off the inning to make the score, 4-1.


Adam Frazier - Pittsburgh Pirates (3) pic.twitter.com/9kVenUabnc

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) June 1, 2025

Adding insult to injury, Gavin Sheets, who started in left field for San Diego ran into the left field wall attempting to make a play on the home run. Sheets hit his face and head and the rest of his body followed into the wall and he fell onto his back on the warning track. He was evaluated on the field and removed from the game, but was smiling as he walked off.

Wandy Peralta, David Morgan, Adrian Morejon, Adam and Suarez were the unsung heroes of the game. The group combined to cover 5 2/3 innings allowing just one hit with one walk and seven strikeouts to allow the Padres an opportunity to come from behind.

San Diego travels to San Francisco to take on the Giants, Monday at 6:45 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/...wade-get-late-game-rbis-to-lead-padres-to-win
 
Padres rally to beat Giants in extras, 3-2

San Diego Padres v San Francisco Giants

Manny Machado | Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Manny Machado forces extra innings with two RBI in ninth, Jake Cronenworth wins it with RBI in 10th

The San Diego Padres scored three runs in the final two innings of their game against the San Francisco Giants and won 3-2 in their second consecutive extra-innings game at Oracle Park, Tuesday.

Jackson Merrill started the top of the 10th inning at second base and Gavin Sheets came to the plate looking to put his team in front. He just missed a home run and a potential double down the line to right field before grounding out. Merrill remained at second base and Xander Bogaerts took his shot to give the Padres the lead. He grounded out as well, but Merrill advanced to third.

Jake Cronenworth stepped to the plate with two outs and wasted no time. He hit the first pitch he saw from San Francisco reliever Spencer Bivens through the right side of the infield for an RBI-single that put San Diego on top, 3-2.


That'll do ‍ pic.twitter.com/xObHQ1ng1c

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 4, 2025

Jeremiah Estrada came in to the game for the save in the bottom of the 10th inning. Padres closer Robert Suarez was unavailable after pitching a four-out save, Sunday and a two-inning save, Monday.

Estrada allowed the sacrifice bunt to Casey Schmitt, which moved the automatic runner, Christian Koss, from second to third. Estrada got the second out of the inning with some help from Bogaerts who stabbed a hard ground ball to his right, checked the runner, and threw to first for the second out of the inning. Estrada ended the game and earned the save when Jung Hoo Lee hit a ground ball up the middle that was played well by Bogaerts who threw to first for the final out of the game.


Xander comes up big in the final two outs! pic.twitter.com/27Qqcqg5Ai

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 4, 2025

The Padres forced extra innings after they loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning and Manny Machado hit a two-out two-run single to left field, which allowed Brandon Lockridge and Fernando Tatis Jr. to score to tie the game, 2-2.


Down to the final out, Manny Machado ties the game! pic.twitter.com/7MwXogTVhk

— MLB (@MLB) June 4, 2025

San Francisco starter Landon Roupp kept San Diego off the scoreboard through 6 1/3 innings. He scattered four hits, struck out five and walked two.

Padres starter Ryan Bergert, who was just called up from the minor leagues earlier this week to make this start, was solid. He allowed two runs over five innings. Bergert had two strikeouts and allowed two walks.


Excellent first career start for Ryan Bergert.

Fastball shape was exceptional averaging 18.7” iVB. pic.twitter.com/vZShdp4Ykq

— Clark Fahrenthold (@CFahrenthold11) June 4, 2025

The San Diego bullpen came up big for the second game in a row. Sean Reynolds worked three innings without allowing a run or a hit. He gave up one walk and struck out two. Yuki Matsui pitched a scoreless inning and Estrada closed out the game with a scoreless bottom of the 10th.

The Padres play the Giants, Wednesday at 6:45 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/3/24442854/padres-rally-to-beat-giants-in-extras-3-2
 
Pitching, defense help Padres beat Brewers

MLB: San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers

Robert Suarez | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

San Diego scores two, shuts out Milwaukee in series opener

Randy Vasquez completed 3 2/3 innings before allowing a single to Sal Frelick and Vasquez and the bullpen helped the San Diego Padres beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 2-0.

Vasquez had trouble with walks, allowing four to Brewers hitters. He was able to work around the walks without allowing a run because he allowed just two hits and struck out two over 4 2/3 innings. Vasquez needed 78 pitches to get through his outing and 40 were strikes.


It’s time to ditch the “pitchers have to go five innings to qualify for a win” rule. Randy Vàsquez wasn’t lights out, but he certainly deserves the win more than a reliever.

— Ben Higgins (@BenHigginsSD) June 7, 2025

Vasquez left the game with San Diego leading Milwaukee 1-0 after a Luis Arraez RBI-single in the top of the third inning. Arraez started the scoring in the game with a one-out single through the left side of the infield. Tyler Wade came in to score on the play after he hit a leadoff single.


Luis being Luis.

⭐️: https://t.co/ARilN7zeOp pic.twitter.com/pkmcgkqXJp

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 7, 2025

Wandy Peralta came in for Vasquez and got the final out of the bottom of the fifth inning. He came back out for the bottom of the sixth inning and allowed a walk to William Contreras. Peralta then struck out Frelick and was replaced by Jeremiah Estrada.

Estrada allowed a walk, then followed with a strikeout and a fly out to end the bottom of the sixth inning. He then came out in the seventh and got the first out of the inning. Estrada allowed a single to Jackson Chourio and was replaced on the mound by Adrian Morejon.

Chourio stole second base to get into scoring position and Yelich hit an infield single. Jake Cronenworth ranged to his right to get to the ball and threw across his body, but Yelich reached safely and Chourio advanced to third. Had Cronenworth not kept the ball on the infield, Chourio would have scored easily to tie the game.

With Brewers on the corners, Morejon struck out Contreras to keep Milwaukee off the scoreboard, ending the bottom of the seventh.

Manny Machado added to the Padres lead in the top of the eighth inning. Machado hit an 0-2 pitch over the wall just inside the left field foul pole to give San Diego a 2-0 lead.


All is fair in love and baseball.

⭐: https://t.co/ARilN7zeOp pic.twitter.com/eTLLFF3Yur

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 7, 2025

Morejon came back out in the bottom of the eighth inning and retired all three batters he faced to get San Diego into the ninth. Robert Suarez came on in the bottom of the ninth and earned his 20th save of the season and secured the win for the Padres facing the minimum three batters and throwing just 13 pitches.


Robert Suarez is the first closer to 20 saves this season ‍

(MLB x @loanDepot) pic.twitter.com/M3Ab14ZCva

— MLB (@MLB) June 7, 2025

San Diego scored just enough to get the win, but the pitching staff held Milwaukee to 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 Brewers baserunners in the game.

The Padres play the Brewers in the second game of their series, Saturday at 4:35 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/6/24444744/pitching-defense-help-padres-beat-brewers
 
Padres Minor League Update: Week 10

Seattle Mariners v San Diego Padres

Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Matt Waldron available, Omar Cruz building up

The San Diego Padres minor league affiliates will be able to provide reinforcements to the pitching staff of the major league team when needed. Matt Waldron had his second start for El Paso after being activated from the IL on June 4. He pitched five innings and allowed six hits with two runs and five strikeouts in 70 pitches. Omar Cruz started on May 31 and went four innings, allowing no runs on two hits and six strikeouts. With two starters on the 40-man roster sitting at El Paso, the Padres can take their time with Yu Darvish and Michael King. Neither of them have a timeline for returning from their injuries.

There are also bullpen reinforcements available with Bradgley Rodriguez and Alek Jacob in El Paso and being used sparingly so the Padres can call them when needed. The option rules for pitchers require that a player stay in the minors for 15 days when optioned, unless there is an injury that requires a call up. This holds true for starters as well as relievers so it is helpful to have more than one or two pitchers to rotate through the minors and major league team to replenish the workforce.

Starters Henry Baez and Kyle Hart are also available on the 40-man roster as is reliever Ron Marinaccio, who remains on the 40-man and has been pitching better in recent weeks. Baez is pitching for Double-A San Antonio but has a 2.19 ERA in 53.1 innings pitched (11 games started) with 53 K to 19 BB. A promotion to El Paso could be coming or he could help out the Padres, if needed.

The Padres are not in as bad of a position as the Dodgers or Diamondbacks (multiple injury issues) with their pitchers. In past seasons, the waiver wire provided the team with its pitching depth when the injury bug hit. There is more depth now and the band aids can be provided in-house.

El Paso Chihuahuas (30-30 record, 3rd in PCL, East Division)

Ron Marinaccio has a 4.94 ERA in 23.2 IP but has improved through his last three outings. He has allowed no runs over 3.1 IP and seems to be getting back to himself after a rocky early season.

As stated earlier, Omar Cruz has been pitching well and in his last five starts has a 1.13 ERA in 16 IP. Jackson Wolf continues to impress with his last start of 4.2 IP and no earned runs allowed with six strikeouts.

Outfielder Tirso Ornelas has had a miserable start to his season but is turning it around and had a .333/.374/.512 line in May. Overall he is currently .307 with a .829 OPS and 29 RBI. It can be assumed he is not considered a candidate for the left field job as a result of his dismal spring and early season issues.

San Antonio Missions (29-25 record, 3rd in Texas League, South Division)

Starter Luis Patiño completed his rehab and stayed with San Antonio as one of their starters. He went 4.1 innings with 2 hits, 4 K and 2 BB in his latest outing. He is still just 25 years old and could still be a quality arm for the Padres, if he stays healthy. Emmanuel Pinales has his first good start after his promotion to Double-A with 5 IP and two runs on two hits and 8 K. His ERA is still above 8 due to his difficult first three starts.

Braden Nett has had his starts staggered in order to manage his workload and he is not going deep in games. He threw 2.2 innings with 2 hits and 2 runs allowed with 4 K’s. Jagger Haynes had a good outing with 6 IP and 2 runs allowed with 6 K but his overall ERA is 4.21.

Catcher Brandon Valenzuela hit his seventh home run with 18 RBI overall. He has a .815 OPS and has flashed a good arm with three caught stealing during the week. He also has good plate discipline with a 10.9% walk rate and 24% chase rate. He has to be added to the Padres 40-man roster this year in order to avoid losing him to free agency.

First baseman Romeo Sanabria continues to excel with a .331 average and .861 OPS with 5 HR and 22 RBI. It seems inevitable he will get a promotion to El Paso at some point.

Fort Wayne TinCaps (27-27 record, 4th Midwest League, East Division)

Two-way player Sean Barnett made his pitching debut, throwing one inning and allowing no hits. He will continue to DH while building up his throwing regimen and is the Padres only two-way player. He is carrying a .255 average with a .777 OPS as a DH in 51 AB.

Starter Eric Yost continues his winning ways with another five innings pitched, allowing four hits and four runs with six strikeouts. He has a 2.35 ERA in 46 IP for the season. Miguel Mendez had another start after his promotion with 3.2 IP, 2 walks and a strikeout. He was built up to 68 pitches. He has an overall ERA of 3.38 in his 16 IP.

Reliever Tyson Neighbors threw 10.1 innings in May with a .162 average against and is holding a 1.25 ERA overall in 21.2 IP. He has 5 saves for the season and splits that role with Harry Gustin who has 2 saves and a 2.23 ERA in 32.1 IP. Reliever Garrett Hawkins has thrown 23.1 innings over 17 games with a 2.70 ERA and he has one save.

Infielder Rosman Verdugo is slugging his way to the top of the home run and RBI totals for the TinCaps. He is tied for second in HR in the league with nine and has 28 RBI. His .826 OPS leads the team with outfielder Braedon Karpathios starting to climb up the ranks with a .790 OPS, 6 HR and 25 RBI.

Shortstop Leo De Vries finished May with a .600 OPS and currently stands at a .256 average with a .760 OPS overall. His power has all but disappeared and he remains at 4 HR for the season, he has 24 RBI. He has 12 errors on the year with a .915 fielding percentage.

Lake Elsinore Storm ( 27-27 record, 2nd in California League, South Division)

#5 prospect Boston Bateman has lowered his ERA to 3.79 over 40.1 IP and has 44 K to 16 BB. Luis Gutierrez is a 21-year-old international signee from Venezuela and is not on the top prospect list for the Padres MLB list. He is in his second year of professional baseball in the U.S. and is handling Low-A baseball well so far. He has a 2.80 ERA in 45 IP with 42 K and 19 BB. In his last outing he went eight innings with no runs allowed, allowing 3 hits, one BB and striking out seven. He pitches with a low 90’s fastball and a mid-80’s changeup predominantly.

#3 prospect Kash Mayfield is working back from a sore shoulder and pitched 2 innings with 4 K and no runs allowed. He has an overall ERA of 4.43 in 22.1 IP with 31 K and 9 BB.

Starter Will Varmette won Cal League Pitcher of the Week with a combined record of 11.2 IP over 2 games with 3 hits and no runs allowed.

Reliever Adam Conrad is dominant for the Storm. He has thrown 23.1 innings without allowing a run with 27 K and 16 BB.

ACL Padres (5-19 record, last in ACL West)

Starter Humberto Cruz continues to work his way back with 2.2 IP in his latest outing. He allowed 4 hits and 3 earned runs with 3 K and has a 5.19 ERA in 8.2 IP overall.

Starter Cole Paplham is on his rehab assignment after recovering from the facial fractures suffered in spring training. He has a 1.93 ERA in 4.2 IP in 3 starts. He could be headed out to his minor league assignment soon.

Right-hander Tanner Smith is also beginning his rehab from Tommy John surgery and has thrown 5 innings with a 3.60 ERA.

The Dominican Summer League has begun as of June 2 with the Padres having two teams (Padres Gold and Padres Brown) composed of international prospects. It is considered a rookie league and there will be occasional updates posted. Most of these players are teenagers attending the Dominican Academy while also playing baseball. The facility is all inclusive with education, housing and development all in one place.

Here is a previous article explaining the facility and a video that shows the facility a couple years after it opened.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/7/24445046/padres-minor-league-update-week-10
 
Welcome to baseball’s best rivalry: Dodgers vs. Padres

Division Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres - Game 3

2024 NL Division Series at Petco Park | Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images

All of baseball will have eyes on season’s first matchup at Petco Park.

For some of the Friar Faithful, the 2025 Major League Baseball season officially begins with the first series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. So, I hope everyone will join in welcoming the team from up north to our friendly confines of Petco Park this Monday night. Let’s make their three-day stay in the Gaslamp Quarter as miserable as possible.

The rivalry between the Dodgers and Padres has become the best in baseball. It has gained fame from the intense postseason contests. Once again, both teams will butt heads as they battle for the National League West division crown.

The rivalry dates back to the Expansion Era​


The long-standing rivalry dates back to the Friars’ inception in 1969. At first, the series was named “the I-5 Series” due to the highway that linked Dodger Stadium and San Diego Stadium. Still, Dodger fans considered the San Francisco Giants to be their main rival because of their days together in New York. But that changed when the teams met with something on the line.

The Friars have enjoyed celebrating a division title at Dodger Stadium. In 1996, the Padres were two games behind the Dodgers in the standings. The final series of the regular season was at Chavez Ravine. The Friars proceeded to sweep the three-game set to capture the NL West. It was fitting that former Dodger Chris Gwynn delivered the game-winning hit in extra innings.

Since the pandemic-shortened season, they have faced one another three times in the postseason. The Padres have experienced a division round exit in two of those postseason series: 2020 and 2024. Each regular and postseason game has been tense and filled with controversy.

Tensions rose between the two teams following a crying meme of Dodgers Clayton Kershaw shown on the left-field scoreboard at Petco Park after an early-season Padres victory in 2023. The Dodgers were not amused and proceeded to win 10 of the next 12 games in the season series.

PADRES ARE TROLLING pic.twitter.com/aQLh5WH4eT

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) May 6, 2023

Who could forget last October’s incident involving Manny Machado? He was accused of throwing a baseball at Dodgers manager Dave Roberts inside their dugout. It seemed like a harmless action, but Roberts used the controversy to fire up his team. The Dodgers bullpen responded by throwing 24 shutout innings against the Friars.

The Dodgers and Padres have a strong rivalry, in part because the teams genuinely dislike one another. It is not contrived for national TV ratings. You could cut the tension with a knife as neither team takes the other for granted.

It seems like each team’s superstars are at the center of every controversy that takes place. Who will be the next player that creates the next-day headlines in the rivalry?

Dodgers and Padres built to win​


The media views the rivalry as a David versus Goliath but that is the furthest from the truth. Both teams expect to play October baseball.

The Padres roster is built through trades, their minor league system, and key free-agent signings while the Dodgers are a super team. The organization will overspend on free agents to fill their roster. There is never fear of ever exceeding the salary budget limits because none have been established.

However, neither team subscribes to this notion as the rivalry is not that easy to define. Each has grown tired of the other crushing their postseason dreams.

Both fan bases are cut from the same cloth. They fill their respective stadiums with SRO crowds on a nightly basis and value the hard work shown by their team’s star players in maintaining their excellence. The close proximity of the two cities makes the rivalry deep-rooted, as both fan bases have infiltrated the opposition’s home park. And of course, a commotion will occur in the stands.

The Dodgers and Padres are forever linked in baseball folklore as they find a way to meet in the postseason. However, it does not matter if you’re witnessing a regular or postseason game. It will always be a memorable affair. Monday marks another chapter in this rivalry’s rich history.

If luck will have it, these two teams will meet again this October.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/8/24445674/welcome-to-baseballs-best-rivalry-dodgers-vs-padres
 
Back
Top