Cardiac Padres strike again, five-run ninth stuns Mariners 7-6 on Jackie Robinson Day
Credit: Yahoo Sports
The San Diego Padres (12-6) and Seattle Mariners (8-11) squared off in game two of a three-game set at Petco Park on Wednesday night.
San Diego was looking to secure their seventh straight win. For the Padres, they had Randy Vasquez on the mound, and the Mariners had Emerson Hancock toe the rubber. April 15, across the league, is recognized as Jackie Robinson Day, and all players wear the number 42 on their backs to honor Robinson’s legacy.
Mariners strike early against Randy Vasquez
Vasquez, who has had an excellent start to his season in 2026 with a 1.02 ERA, started the game off for the Padres. He had a clean first inning, but the Mariners were able to string a few across in the top of the second. After getting the leadoff man out, Vasquez walked Randy Arozarena. Next up, Jake Raley, who hit a single to center, advancing Arozarena to second. This brought up Dominic Canzone, who laced a 114mph double off the bottom of the foul pole in right to bring both runs across. The Mariners led 2-0.
The Mariners were not done yet, as they were looking to strike again in the third. Vasquez struck out Brandon Donovan, but during the at-bat, Freddy Fermin took a foul ball to the facemask and would have to exit the game; Luis Campusano replaced him. Following was Cal Raleigh for Seattle, and he hit a ball in the right-center gap for a double.
Julio Rodriguez came up to look and extend this one, and with one swing of the bat, he almost did. However, Jackson Merrill patrols these waters in San Diego, and he robbed Rodriguez of a two-run homerun in center for the second out of the inning. Raleigh advanced to third. Vasquez was able to strike Josh Naylor out to get a clean third inning.
The Kid just keeps on doing what he does best 🤯 pic.twitter.com/cnQ0dJQdaK
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 16, 2026
Seattle would end up still getting some more runs across in the top of the fourth. Randy Arozarena earned a lead-off double. Vasquez got the next two guys out, but then walked Cole Young and Leo Rivas. Bases loaded, two out, and Brendan Donovan was able to hit a single through the infield to right field for two more runs. 4-0 Mariners. Cal Raleigh worked a walk, but Vasquez was able to strike Julio Rodriguez out to close the inning.
Vasquez finished the day with four innings pitched, giving up five hits, four walks, four runs (all earned), and getting six strikeouts. Command was shaky throughout the outing, and that hurt him in the second and the fourth.
The Padres’ offense was shut down by Emerson Hancock early
After a really good stretch of offensive games for San Diego, it almost came to an end tonight. Mariners starter Emerson Hancock kept the Padres’ attack silent most of the night. Every at-bat was a fist fight, and Hancock won every time, getting either a strikeout or a weak contact. Xander Bogaerts got the team’s first hit on a single to left in the bottom of the fourth with two outs.
This was expected at least once against the Mariners, who have one of the best starting rotations in all of baseball.
“Hancock was dialed in tonight; he pitched a great game,” Stammen said postgame. “Kept us off balance most of the time. We put together some good at-bats on him in the 5th and 6th innings, got him out of the game off a two-run homer by Bogey. Gave us a chance down 6-0.”
Mariners and Padres trade homers
Ron Marrianicco came in relief in the fifth, and it was more of the same. Getting the leadoff man out, Arozarena got on base for the third time tonight with a single. After that, Luke Raley hit a mammoth of a home run, 434 feet to right, to extend the Mariners’ lead to 6-0.
Luke Raley tattoos this baseball 💥
113.2 MPH, 434 feet! pic.twitter.com/Op31LHq9rr
— MLB (@MLB) April 16, 2026
It took till the sixth inning for the Padres to get on the board, and they managed to get some success off of Hancock. With one out, Merrill singled to right, which set up Xander Bogaerts to get his second hit of the night, which was a long one. A 381-foot, 104mph two-run shot over the left field wall for his third homerun of the year gets the Padres within slam range. SD trailed 6-2.
Hancock finished the night with six innings pitched, giving up four hits, one walk, two runs (both earned), and getting six strikeouts.
Bogey goes boom 💥 pic.twitter.com/rRIVeJxvZA
— SleeperPadres (@SleeperPadres) April 16, 2026
Cardiac Padres do it again in dramatic fashion from some more Merrill Madness
Things got really interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Manny Machado worked a walk, Gavin Sheets doubled down the third baseline, Nick Castellanos struck out, and Ty France singled over the pitcher’s head on a high chopper. This brought up Fernando Tatis Jr. as a pinch hitter with bases loaded, one out.
Tatis Jr. managed a sac fly to get it to 6-3, with two outs. Down to their final out, Campusano then hit a line drive to center for a single, bringing across another run. Seattle led by just two. Ramon Lauerano kept the rally alive with a bloop single to left to get one more across, 6-5.
Chasing Mariners closer Andres Munoz, tying run at second, winning run at first, Merrill stepping into the box. On a 2-2 count, Merrill hit a line drive down the left field line, and it gets chalk for a fair ball, rolling to the corner, then bobbled by left fielder Arozarena, allowing the winning run to cross. The cardiac Padres win 7-6. Seven straight wins for the squad.
It’s all just a bunch of Merrill Madness. pic.twitter.com/sHzby2D8UY
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 16, 2026
“Let’s f**king go San Diego,” Merrill said postgame.
“We batted and came away with a crazy victory,” manager Craig Stammen said postgame.
What’s next for San Diego
The Padres (12-6) will face off against the Mariners (8-11) tomorrow in a chance for a sweep. The Padres have Walker Buehler getting the start, facing off against the Mariners Luis Castillo. Padres vs Mariners, 6:40 PM PT at Petco Park.
Notes
- Stammen said postgame that Freddy Fermin did not get a concussion, but just had a few too many blows to the head. “All the tests came back negative.”
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.