The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are in San Diego for a three-game weekday series. On Monday, Arizona shut out the Friars 8-0. On Tuesday, the Padres will try to even up the series.

San Diego (44-46), winning just one game in their last 10, will try to crawl back to the same record as the D-Backs.

Arizona (45-45) is the fourth team out of a wild card before Tuesday night’s game.

Zac Gallen, who owns the highest ERA in MLB among all qualified pitchers with 6.36, will start for Arizona. Gallen signed a one-year contract worth just over $22 million before the season.

Germán Márquez makes the start for the Padres. This start would be his first since his seven earned run outing against the White Sox on May 1st.

Cronenworth remains in the lineup

Before Tuesday’s game during batting practice, Jake Cronenworth took a grounder off his nose. Cronenworth was evaluated and remained in the lineup, as it was just a bloody nose.

Márquez on the mound. pic.twitter.com/zIXnIHsKEU

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 7, 2026

Arizona scores first

After loading up the bases in the top of the first inning, Germán Márquez walked Max Kepler to plate a run for the D-Backs and put them up 1-0. Nolan Arenado lined into an unassisted double play to Sung-Mung Song to end the inning and the Arizona threat.

Crooked number for the Padres

A first-pitch lead-off double by Fernando Tatis Jr. and a Jackson Merrill single to follow tied the game up for the Padres immediately.

Jake Cronenworth hammered a ball into the right field seats, scoring Merrill, as well as Gavin Sheets, who reached on a walk.

INTO THE CRONE ZONE pic.twitter.com/RjNR46ZOCr

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 8, 2026

San Diego’s starter goes five

Márquez, in his first start in over two months, does great. Going five innings while just allowing a single unearned run would be huge for a team that has struggled to get contributions from the rotation as of late. The Diamondbacks were able to muster three hits and reach on walks three times. With the 32-pitch first frame, Márquez was able to get through the next four innings in just 52 pitches. 51 of his 82 pitches would come for strikes. The five innings by Márquez were massive with the Padres’ bullpen that has been heavily used and been injury-riddled in the back end.

Matsui, Brito, and Rodriguez set it up for 22

Yuki Matsui started the sixth frame for the Padres, coming in after Márquez. Corbin Carroll struck out to begin the sixth. Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. each reached on singles, ending Matsui’s outing after the minimum three batters.

In comes Jhony Brito, making his first MLB appearance since 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2025. Brito instantly gets Nolan Arenado to ground into a double play, ending the sixth inning and keeping the score at 4-1, San Diego. Brito went back out for the seventh inning and got a 1-2-3 inning. In Brito’s return, he’d end up retiring all four batters he would face, and striking out one.

Bradgley Rodriguez was called to take care of the eighth inning and the top of the order. The top of the order of Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, and Corbin Carroll went down in order, with all three flying out.

Miller saves it

Recap

Germán Márquez, in his return to the starting rotation, received his fourth win of the season.

Zac Gallen, the victim of a four-run first inning, would get the loss.

Mason Miller gets his 23rd save of 2026, for the National League lead.

The Padres are now just a game under .500 with the win, and sit at 45-46 after Tuesday’s game.

Arizona drops below .500 and is 45-46 in 2026.

Even after getting hit in the nose pregame, Cronenworth continues to play well since his return from the injured list. Cronenworth’s three-run home run in the first ends up being the difference in the game.

Wednesday in San Diego

The D-Backs and Padres will play on ESPN on Wednesday night. Rookie Jose Cabrera is the probable starter for Torey Lovullo and the D-Backs. Michael King will start for the Padres. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM PT.

Angel Flores

Angel grew up a San Diego sports fan, following the Padres, SDSU athletics, San Diego FC, as well as the Chargers. He is currently a third year community college student, and will transfer to SDSU to pursue a career in Journalism.