Kansas City wins 6-5 over Padres despite Machado’s late blast
Credit: USA Today Sports
Petco Park- San Diego, CA
The San Diego Padres fell just short of another late-inning comeback Friday night, losing 6–5 to the Kansas City Royals in a tense series opener at Petco Park.
The game’s intensity had been building well before first pitch.
Manager Mike Shildt was suspended for Friday’s game by Major League Baseball due to his actions during Thursday night’s heated finale in Los Angeles. In the bottom of the ninth, Shildt stormed onto the field and shouted at Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit on the inside of his right wrist by a 92 mph fastball from rookie Jack Little. MLB cited Shildt for “unsportsmanlike conduct” for instigating the confrontation.
With Shildt serving his suspension, bench coach Bryan Esposito managed the Padres on Friday.
Tatis’s availability remained in doubt until around 4:30 PM, as trainers monitored swelling and range of motion in his wrist. He was eventually cleared to play, starting in right field and batting leadoff, but finished the night hitless, including a key eighth-inning popout with two runners on.
The Royals, now 38–38 overall (19–19 on the road), struck early and often. Bobby Witt Jr. got the scoring started in the first inning with a 401-foot solo homer to left — his 10th of the year and 40th RBI.
The Padres threatened in the second when Xander Bogaerts lined a single to left, continuing his hot streak. Starting with his hit in his final at bat on Wednesday in Los Angeles, the veteran shortstop had gone 8-for-8 over his next 9 plate appearances, before popping out in the 9th inning. His 7 hits in the last two games have raised his batting average 20 points (.247). However, San Diego failed to capitalize, stranding Bogaerts at second after Lorenzen escaped with a pair of routine outs.
In the fourth, Jac Caglianone ripped his third double of the season, setting up a two-run frame that chased Pivetta from his rhythm. Jonathan India delivered a two-run double in the fifth and added another RBI knock in the seventh to give him a three-RBI night. He finished 3-for-5 with a double, two singles, and a run scored. On the three-run home run, “I was just trying to put something in the air. Get a run home at least. Yeah, he threw me a first pitch fastball, I just missed it. I was ready for the next one”, India said in a post-game interview.
Jonathan India with his 3rd home run this month. #FountainsUp pic.twitter.com/3Ve2YFaw1u
— Royals Muse (@KCRoyalsMuse) June 21, 2025
The Padres clawed back with RBI contributions from José Iglesias, Luis Arraez, and Gavin Sheets, who delivered a two-run single to cut a 5–2 deficit down to 5–4 in the seventh. San Diego had a chance to tie or take the lead in the eighth, but Fernando Tatis Jr. popped out to second with two men aboard, and Luis Arraez grounded out to end the threat.
The Force is strong with this one.
⭐: https://t.co/ARilN7zMDX pic.twitter.com/wjDCT7ocYV
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 21, 2025
In the bottom of the ninth, Manny Machado blasted a leadoff solo home run to right off Royals closer Carlos Estévez, cutting the lead to 6–5. It was Machado’s 12th homer and 46th RBI, tying him with Tatis Jr. for the team lead in runs batted in.
Manny does this.
⭐: https://t.co/ARilN7zMDX pic.twitter.com/hRgU9jH4Jq
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 21, 2025
Estévez, however, settled down and retired Xander Bogaerts, Gavin Sheets, and Jake Cronenworth to notch his 22nd save of the season, breaking his tie with Robert Suarez for the MLB lead.
San Diego, now 40–35 overall (21–13 at home), has dropped three of its last four games despite outhitting the Royals 12–11 on the night.
Up Next:
The Padres will look to even up the series Saturday 4:15 PM at Petco Park. Dylan Cease (4–4, 4.69 ERA, 80.2 IP, 105 K) will look to bounce back from a rocky outing as he squares off against Royals rookie Noah Cameron (2–2, 1.91 ERA, 42.1 IP, 32 K).
J.J. Rodriguez is a passionate sports writer making his debut with East Village Times. Born and raised in Southwest Florida, he is a father of four and an eight-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran who has lived in Southern California since 1996. A devoted fan of the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Florida Gators, J.J. brings a lifetime of sports enthusiasm to his writing. He’s currently pursuing a degree in elementary education and enjoys life as an empty-nester with his wife of 19 years, Lisa.