Phillies take series opener in 3-2 win over Padres
AP Photo

The Padres and the Phillies meet again, this time at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. San Diego comes into the series after dropping their three-game series in Washington and losing seven of their last 10 games. Philadelphia returns home after their 4-2 road trip, consisting of trips to Petco Park and Dodger Stadium.
Randy Vásquez and Aaron Nola face off again, as they did on May 26th at Petco Park. Philadelphia got the best of that game, winning 4-3, led by Nola’s six innings where he’d only allow two earned runs. Vásquez struggled, allowing four earned runs off three home runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Bowen’s MLB debut
On Tuesday, Ramón Laureano was placed on the 10-day injured list with right hip inflammation. Up to the big leagues comes Jase Bowen, and he makes the start in left field and bats seventh.
Debut day. pic.twitter.com/suNO2orZRX
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 2, 2026
Trading two-run shots

Gavin Sheets plated Fernando Tatis Jr. and himself with his 10th home run of the year.
The Milk Man always delivers. pic.twitter.com/lZIPvOlAnh
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 2, 2026
Bryce Harper takes Vásquez deep to the left-center seats to tie the game at two apiece.
Bryce Harper rings the bell! ? pic.twitter.com/NKEqtNb8RD
— MLB (@MLB) June 2, 2026
Vásquez’s outing
Randy Vásquez tossed five innings for San Diego on Tuesday. The Harper homer would be the only blemish on his outing. Vásquez allowed just two earned runs on five Phillies hits. He’d walk just one batter while striking out three. Vásquez did not induce many whiffs, tallying just six swing & misses on the night. 80 pitches would be all Vásquez would toss, exiting after five innings in a 2-2 game. Only 46 of those 80 pitches would be for strikes.
Phils take the lead in the sixth
Jeremiah Estrada entered the game in the sixth for Craig Stammen and the Padres. Harper would draw a leadoff walk, and Brandon Marsh followed that with a single to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Estrada would get Alec Bohm to ground into a double play up the middle, but Harper would score. This gave the Phillies a 3-2 lead going into the top of the seventh.
Big league knock #1
After striking out in his first two Major League at-bats, Jase Bowen records his first hit off the Orion Kerkering in the top of the seventh.
First Major League hit for Jase! pic.twitter.com/0ZK2EfpuLC
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 3, 2026
Out on the basepaths
Fernando Tatis Jr. runs into the third out of the top of the eighth inning on an infield single by Miguel Andujar. The out erases Jackson Merrill‘s chance to drive in the tying run late in the game.
Unacceptable pic.twitter.com/sUf6T8wQAm
— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 3, 2026
Duran slams the door
Jhoan Duran strikes out the Padres in order to seal the game for the Phils. Jackson Merrill, Xander Bogaerts, and Jase Bowen all went down on strikes in just 14 pitches.
Wrap-up
Jose Alvarado picks up the win to improve Philadelphia’s record to 31-29. Jeremiah Estrada picks up the loss as his run allowed in the sixth would end up being the difference. San Diego’s record drops to 32-27, and 1-3 on the ongoing road trip.
Duran receives his 13th save of the season and drops his ERA to 1.45.
The Padres’ offense went 0-7 with runners in scoring position.
Middle game in Philly
Christopher Sanchez and his 44 2/3 scoreless innings streak will face the Padres again on Wednesday. Walker Buehler will start for San Diego. Buehler went 5 1/3 innings last time out against the Phillies and allowed just two earned runs. First pitch on Wednesday in Philadelphia is scheduled for 3:40 PM PT/6:40 PM ET.

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.