The San Diego Padres couldn’t cash in on one of their most productive nights at the plate all season. The Friars slugged out five runs in the first inning against Texas Rangers starter Jacob deGrom. Randy Vásquez couldn’t back up the squad, surrendering six to Texas in the bottom frame.
San Diego stayed in it the whole way, thanks to Ty France and Gavin Sheets solo shots in the fourth and eighth. But the club fell short, 9-7, in the end and couldn’t capitalize on a few key opportunities. The fault
certainly lies with Vásquez, who gave up seven runs (six earned) through just 3 1/3 innings.
Taking the mound
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) v. Walker Buehler (SD)
After turning in the best season of his career in 2025, Eovaldi has looked rough in ‘26 with a 4.23 ERA across 14 starts. Pair that with a 1.17 WHIP through 87 1/3 innings and it’s been tough for the righty.
Eovaldi’s looked better in his last seven starts, pitching to a 3.78 ERA, but it’s still been tough. He’s given up 10 runs across his last 18 2/3 innings. The Padres will hope to beat the Rangers’ starter to force the rubber match.
Buehler has had an incredible turnaround as of late. Despite a 4.14 ERA this season, he’s posted a 2.92 mark in his last seven starts. In his last three starts, he’s surrendered just one run apiece across 15 2/3 innings.
San Diego will need that form of Buehler to pitch tonight. The righty has been resurgent and he’ll need to limit a Rangers lineup that just slugged nine runs against the Padres’ pitching staff.
Batter up!
Despite the loss, it was an incredibly productive night for the Padres’ lineup. The offense went 10-for-37 with three walks. France was the player of the game, with a three-hit night and 10 total bases. He slugged two homers, including a grand slam in the top of the first.
- Fernando Tatis Jr., 2B
- Samad Taylor, RF
- Jackson Merrill, CF
- Manny Machado, 3B
- Gavin Sheets, LF
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Ty France, 1B
- Will Wagner, DH
- Blake Hunt, C
Catcher Rodolfo Durán took a few pitches to the head and exited the game early. Nick Solak pinch-hit for Durán in the eighth before Blake Hunt made his major league debut behind the dish. Hunt might start today’s game to give Durán a day off.
Relief corps
With Vásquez exiting early, the San Diego bullpen was tasked with covering 4 2/3 innings of work. They did so well, but gave up some key runs that would have turned the tide for the Friars. Yuki Matsui, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta and Jason Adam finished out the game. If Adam hadn’t given up a home run to Wyatt Langford in the bottom of the eighth, the game could have been taken into extra innings.
The Padres will hope for another great start from Buehler. Behind him is Kyle Hart, Ron Marinaccio, Adrian Morejon and the returning Mason Miller. Miller came back off the bereavement list on Friday, with San Diego sending Bradgley Rodriguez to the Arizona Complex League.
