The San Diego Padres (58-54) and Arizona Diamondbacks (59-53) clashed in the desert with playoff seeding on the line. Game one of a four-game set in Phoenix, Arizona, starts with Padres ace Michael King squaring off with Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt.

First of four in Arizona. pic.twitter.com/SijBOm1Rh3

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 3, 2026

Diamondbacks are able to get on the board first against a shaky King

This start was not a very efficient beginning for Michael King. A thirty-two-pitch first inning is how things began. In the bottom of the fourth, he kept playing with fire, and he ended up getting burned. Ketel Marte worked a leadoff walk. Then Nolan Arenado popped out to short. Following him was Adrian Del Castillo, who slapped a line drive into center, advancing Marte to second. This allowed Tim Tawa to strike, and he did on the first pitch; a hanging sinker inside gets deposited into the Diamondbacks bullpen, giving AZ a 3-0 lead early. King would get out of the inning, but had eighty-five pitches after four innings pitched.

ARI – Tim Tawa 3-run HR (5)

? 404 ft | ? 104.1 mph | ? 28°
⚾️ 93.1 mph sinker (SDP – RHP Michael King)
?️ Out in 30/30 parks ?

SDP (0) @ ARI (3)
? 4th#Dbacks pic.twitter.com/MQhjSlDUkl

— MLB Home Runs (@MLBHRs_) August 4, 2026

Brandon Pfaadt’s great start comes to an end as Padres begin to chip away late

In what has been a lackluster offensive showing by the Padres, they needed to start chipping away at this 3-0 deficit to have a chance late in this one. They began to do so in the top of the seventh. Brandon Pfaadt would come into the inning looking to keep his fantastic start rolling. With one out, Ty France worked a walk after being in a 0-2 hole. Jackson Merrill would pop out in foul territory for out number two. But Luis Rengifo would make things a little interesting with a single grounded past the second baseman, advancing France to third.

Giving Luis Campusano a chance to get San Diego on the board. He would hit a grounder between short and third, where Nolan Arenado would field it, spin, and fire to first, which got away from first baseman Tim Tawa, allowing France to score. Padres still trail 3-1. This would end Pfaadt’s outstanding start with six and two-thirds innings pitched, giving up five hits, one walk, one run (unearned), and three strikeouts.

Arizona’s offense puts things away in the eighth to help close out game one of the series

After San Diego began to show signs of life, Arizona decided to wake up and slam the door shut. Wandy Peralta was tasked with getting the Padres through the eighth. Nolan Arenado started with a leadoff single. Adrian Del Castillo would then get a sac bunt, advancing Arenado to second. This allowed Tim Tawa, who already had a big night, to try and bring in another run. He would hit a dribbler up the middle, which was knocked down by Xander Bogaerts, saving a run from scoring, but now Peralta has men on the corners.

James McCann would be the one to inflict the damage as he knocked a double into right field, bringing across Arenado and moving Tawa to third. Jorge Barrosa would put the cherry on top with a sac fly to center, pushing the lead to 5-1. Corbin Carroll would ground out to close the eighth.

The Padres’ offense would go quiet as Ty France flew out to right, Jackson Merrill popped out to short, and Luis Rengifo grounded out to short. This loss snaps the Padres three-game win streak and sets them now two games back of a wildcard spot.

Continuing big series in Arizona

The San Diego Padres (58-55) look to bounce back and make up some ground in this series vs the Arizona Diamondbacks (60-53). For the Padres, they are still undecided on a starter for tomorrow night, and the Diamondbacks have Eduardo Rodriguez toeing the rubber. First pitch is at 6:40 PM PT  at Chase Field.

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.