The Padres blow a chance for their first win of the season vs Tigers.

The Padres were on pace to get their first win of the year through seven innings. But that’s why you play nine. San Diego’s offense didn’t capitalize enough, and the bullpen wasn’t able to hold a one-run lead. The Padres lose the season-opening series to the Tigers, falling 0-2, and are still searching for win number one.

Michael King started the season on the right note, along with some Merrill Madness.

If you were worried about Michael King in spring training, worry no more. King gave a bounce-back performance for the Padres’ starting pitching. He finished the night going five innings, walked four, gave up one hit, one run (unearned), and had six strikeouts.

King did a really good job setting up his pitches on Friday night, keeping Tigers hitters off balance. Especially Kerry Carpenter, who struck out three times against King. His fastball and change-up were working early. The command was a little shaky at times, but he was good at keeping the Tigers’ offense away.

The Tigers’ lone run on Michael came in the top of the sixth.

A walk to the lead-off man, Glyeber Torres, ended King’s night. Then manager Craig Stammen made the move to go to lefty reliever Adrian Morejon. Morejon started by giving up a ground ball from Jahmai Jones to third baseman Manny Machado, who was indecisive about where to go and bobbled the ball away for an error. Morejon answered with a double play off Riley Greenes‘ bat, but Spencer Torkelson came in clutch with two outs and drove in Torres, which charged the run to Michael King. Game tied at one.

But the major highlight early was Jackson Merrill‘s homerun robbery of Kevin McGonigle, a rookie who has started the season firing on all cylinders. Merrill timed the jump perfectly and retired McGonigle. When he landed, he let out an emphatic scream. Michael King gave Merrill a point after a sigh of relief, saving him from giving up his first run of the year.

ABOUT THAT ACTION. pic.twitter.com/fCVhiT4TAy

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 28, 2026

Offense was getting on base, but small damage on the scoreboard.

The Padres squared off on Friday against lefty Framber Valdez. While the scoreboard might not show it, the Padres made Valdez sweat it out numerous times. Three out of the first four innings, the Padres got the leadoff guy on and finally got one across in the fourth.

To begin the bottom of the fourth, Manny Machado hit a line drive down the left field line for a double. Then Jackson Merrill, who was 0-for-4 yesterday, earned his second hit of the night on a soft grounder to first, advancing Machado. That gave newbie Miguel Andujar a chance to push a run across, and he did just that. A grounder just off to the right of the thirdbaseman which bounced off a outstrecthed glove. This allowed Manny to cross home safely and get Andujar his first hit and RBI of the year with an infield single. Padres lead 1-0. The Padres had more chances in the inning, but just weren’t able to capitalize.

Then, in the bottom of the sixth, the game knotted at one apiece, Jackson Merrill, who was able to get on base for the third time tonight with a walk. He then caused catcher Dillon Dingler to make a throwing error trying to pick off a leaning Merrill, but the throw scampered into right field, allowing Merrill to get to second. The center fielder set the stage for Ramon Lauereno, who laced a 105.1 mph line drive over the right fielder’s head, bringing Merrill across to give the Padres the lead 2-1.

Razor Ramón! pic.twitter.com/xAEZBGQ7d5

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 28, 2026

Framber finished the day with six innings pitched, giving up seven hits, one walk, two runs (only one earned), and notching five strikeouts. Wasn’t a strong performance, but he kept Detroit in the game.

Tigers take advantage of a poor eighth from the Padres’ bullpen.

The top of the eighth was not what the Padres needed to walk away with their first win of the year. Leading 2-1, right-handed reliever Jeremiah Estrada was all over the place. This led to a very disappointing start to the season for Estrada.

With everything landing high in the zone, Estrada got a lead-off strikeout on Javier Baez, but after that, it was a nightmare. Jeremiah walked three consecutive batters, then Riley Greene cashed in by pushing across the tying run. With the score 2-2, he struck out Spencer Torkelson, but his night ended there. Estrada was overthrowing every pitch in his arsenal, and it hurt him and the Padres immensely. Jeremiah finished the night with two-thirds of a innings pitched, one hit, three walks, four runs all earned, and two strikeouts.

The Padres looked to Wandy Peralta to hold the game tied. However, he did not succeed, and the floodgates opened up. 21-year-old rookie KevinMcGonigle, who has been a thorn in the Padres’ side all series, battled with Peralta and ended up coming out on top with a single to right. That plated the go-ahead run and some insurance across home, 4-2 Tigers.

Dillon Dingler followed up with another single to right, getting the Tigers a cushion to 5-2. Peralta got out of the inning, but it was a very disappointed Petco crowd heading into the bottom of the eighth.

Kenley Jansen closes the Padres out for the Tigers series clinch.

Bottom of nine, trailing 5-2, the Padres needed early success in the inning to have a chance. But Kenley Jansen shredded the Padres hitters, sealing the win for Detroit. Gavin Sheets, Jake Cronenworth, and pinch-hitter Nick Castellanos all struck out swinging to close a brutal final two innings from the team. Tigers get the job done 5-2.

The Padres’ offense on the night was 3-10 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base. Pitching walked eight. Very underwhelming first two games in San Diego to start the 2026 campaign.

Up next for the Padres.

The San Diego Padres (0-2)  face off in the series finale Saturday, March 27, 5:40 pm PT vs. the Detroit Tigers (2-0) at Petco Park. Randy Vasquez takes the mound against a familiar foe in Jack Flaherty for the Tigers. The Padres are hoping to at least snag one before San Fransico comes to town.

Wyatt Dearen

Hi Padres fans, I’m Wyatt Dearen. I am from Farmington, New Mexico, which is home to one of the most prestigious high school baseball tournaments in America, the Connie Mack World Series. When it comes around, I do color and statistics for the radio. I am currently pursuing a degree in Sports Administration at the University of Houston #GoCoogs. I have been a sports fan my whole life, following all the major sports leagues since I could walk, and it has been my dream my whole life to work in sports. Thankful to write about the team and for the East VillageTimes.