Padres Dominate Giants 5-1 in Series Opener at Petco Park

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres claimed a crucial 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday, capitalizing on losses by the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers to remain strong contenders in the National League West division race.

Continuing their post-All-Star Game dominance, the Padres have now secured 31 wins since the midseason break, proving they are the hottest team in the league.

Pitcher Michael King once again found his rhythm on the mound, holding the Giants to just one run over six innings. King struck out eight batters, with a solo home run being the only blemish on his outing. San Francisco’s lone run came from that homer, as their offense struggled to break through King’s control.

The Padres took advantage of San Francisco’s defensive mistakes early in the game. In the bottom of the first inning, a fielding error by shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald allowed San Diego to score three runs.

Manny Machado added to the Padres’ lead, crushing a solo home run in the eighth inning after previously driving in a run with a base hit. His outstanding performance helped seal the win, giving the Padres a crucial four-game edge over the Dodgers, who lost to Cleveland, and a one-game advantage over the Diamondbacks in the battle for second place in the division.

Jackson Merrill became the rookie with the most RBIs in San Diego Padres history

San Diego Padres’ Victory by Inning

Bottom of the 1st Inning
Jurickson Profar hit a fly ball to right field, caught by Mike Yastrzemski for the first out, but Luis Arraez and Fernando Tatis Jr. scored due to a throwing error by shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald. This gave the Padres a 2-0 lead.
Manny Machado followed up with a solo home run (24) to left-center, extending the Padres’ lead to 3-0.

Bottom of the 5th Inning
Machado continued his strong performance with a single to right field, driving in Fernando Tatis Jr. and advancing Profar to third. The Padres increased their lead to 4-0.

Top of the 6th Inning
Michael Conforto answered for the Giants with a solo home run (16) to right field, scoring San Francisco’s only run of the game. SF 1, SD 4.

Bottom of the 8th Inning
Machado struck again, hitting his second home run of the game (25), another shot to left-center, securing the Padres’ victory at 5-1.

The Padres are now closing in on the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, keeping the race for the division alive.