Duran hits first major league home run, Padres down Mariners 7-4
Rodolfo Durán hit his first major league home run in the Padres' 7-4 win over the Mariners on May 16. Photo credit: MLB
Rodolfo Duran recorded his first major league hit in the form of a home run. It was part of a rare offensive outburst in the San Diego Padres’ 7-4 win over the Seattle Mariners on May 16.
Duran spent 11 seasons in the minors before being called up on May 7. Duran is filling in for Luis Campusano on the roster, after Campusano was placed on the 10-day IL (broken left toe).
Duran’s home run came in the top of the seventh inning. After a two-out double by Ramon Laureano, Duran connected with a 95 mph fastball over the outer half of the plate. It was the last pitch thrown by Seattle starter Logan Gilbert.
¡El primer hit de Grandes Ligas de Rodolfo Durán es un jonrón! pic.twitter.com/ZpOmu5p3hF
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 17, 2026
Nick Castellanos also homered in the game. His blast was a 3-run shot to left-center in the top of the fourth. He now has three home runs on the season.
The Padres were again carried by the lower half of the lineup, which has been a theme for most of the season to this point. The top four hitters went a combined 2-for-12.
Walker Buehler made his ninth start for the Padres and went five innings. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks, and struck out six Mariners.
The top of the lineup continues to be a sore spot for San Diego, thus far. Jackson Merrill, who leads off the lineup, went 0-for-4, striking out twice. Fernando Tatis, Jr. was also hitless but drew a walk.
Merrill and Tatis currently have a .600 OPS and .586 OPS, respectively. Tatis is still searching for his first home run. He still has a goose egg in the home run column through 45 games.
Next up
The Padres will seek to complete the season sweep over their interleague rivals. San Diego already secured the Vedder Cup trophy with their victory last night.
Lucas Giolito makes his Padres debut in this nationally televised Sunday night game. It will be streamed on Peacock. First pitch is scheduled for 4:20 PDT.
Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.