On Wednesday, the San Diego Padres and the Cincinnati Reds played the the rubber game of this three-game set in The Queen City. The Reds took the middle game on Tuesday by a score of 4-3, with the Padres notably going 0-10 with runners in scoring position. San Diego took Monday’s game 5-0, led by six shutout innings from Michael King and a four-hit game by Manny Machado.

Casey Mize started his sixth game with the team that traded for him just under a month ago. Mize looks to bounce back after giving up seven runs in Tampa Bay during his last outing.

The left-hander Brandon Williamson took the mound to start for the Reds. Williamson will make his first Major League appearance since April 29th after dealing with left shoulder fatigue. The 28-year-old has an ERA of 6.11 through 28.0 innings in 2026.

Ethan Salas makes his MLB debut

The No. 1 prospect in the Padres’ system, and No. 23rd ranked prospect in MLB according to MLB pipeline, will start Wednesday’s game behind home plate. Salas became the youngest catcher to play in a Major League Baseball game since Ivan Rodriguez made his debut at 19-years-old back in 1991. Here in 2026, Salas debuts at 20-years-old and 93 days.

Ethan Salas makes his Major League debut! pic.twitter.com/4S8H7WyA4i

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 2, 2026

France gets the scoring started

Ty France plates Fernando Tatis Jr. and himself with a two-run shot in the first inning. France is the third Padre to reach the 20 home run marker, behind Manny Machado (24) and Jackson Merrill (22). This home run ties Ty France’s career high of home runs in a single season.

French toast for breakfast. pic.twitter.com/Q93WyuwXJf

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 2, 2026

Fernando increases the lead

Fernando Tatis Jr. grabs his second hit is as many innings, and this one drives in Austin Hays as the third Padres run of the game.

Nando brining the heat ? pic.twitter.com/FXp3YQNhtj

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 2, 2026

Reds put up four

Juan Brito hits his first Major League homer, this one to tie the game up in the second.

First big league homer for Juan Brito‼️

Congrats, Juan! pic.twitter.com/7Eq82Tx1IC

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 2, 2026

Another home run, this one by Hector Rodriguez gives the Reds the lead.

Héctor keeps on hittin’! pic.twitter.com/2MP6rHZLwc

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 2, 2026

Mize gets through four innings

Casey Mize had trouble finding the zone on Wednesday. Mize allowed four earned runs on five hits, one walk, while striking out four. The second inning where he allowed two homers swung the game in the other direction after the Padres offense gave him a three run cushion. Mize threw 85 pitches across four innings, with 55 of them coming for strikes.

Reds expand their lead in the sixth

Against the lefty Wandy Peralta, JJ Bleday laid down a nicely executed bunt to give Cincinnati a leadoff baserunner in the sixth. Peralta would exit the game after Tyler Stepherson lined out to make the first out of the inning. In come David Morgan where he allowed Dane Myers and Juan Brito to reach on a single and a walk, and load the bases. The next batter Matt McLain hit a sacrifice fly to plate Bleday and the fifth Reds run.

Bleday hits Reds’ third homer of the day

JJ Bleday hits his 22nd homer of the year to extend the double the Reds’ lead.

JJ Bleday hammers one out to add on for the @Reds! pic.twitter.com/HsJIP94uvs

— MLB (@MLB) September 2, 2026

Five Padres arms in relief

Wandy Peralta, David Morgan, Kyle Harts and Jhony Brito all pitched in some capacity to total a combined four innings. Peralta tossed 1 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run and striking out one. Morgan followed him with 1/3 of an inning pitched where he allowed a hit and walk. Hart allowed an earned run in his 2/3 inning outing. Brito gave up the big two run homer to Bleday in his 1 2/3 innings pitched.

Recap

Reds’ starter Brandon Williamson grabs the win in his first outing in four months.

Casey Mize gets credited with the loss, his third as a Padre.

In Salas’ debut, he would finish 0-4 with 2 K’s.

The Padres went just 1-7 with runners in scoring position.

San Diego drops to 73-67.

Cincinnati improves to 67-73.

San Diego finished a tough roadtrip, finishing 1-5 across trips to Tampa Bay and Cincinnati.

Back at home on Friday

After Wednesday’s game in Cincinnati, the Padres will head back home for the start of a six-game homestand featuring the New York Yankees (Sept. 4-6) and Washington Nationals (Sept. 7-9). The team will have Thursday off and will be back at it on Friday night at 6:40 p.m. PT. The Yankees’ starter is yet to be determined, with the Padres’ starter being Walker Buehler.

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 student at San Diego State University, majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Public relations.