Padres cruise to 5-0 win over Reds in series opener
AP Photo
After getting swept in a tough series against the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend, the Padres looked to turn things around in Cincinnati.
The Padres and Reds started a three-game series starting on Monday evening.
Michael King was the starting pitcher who tried to get the Padres back on track after dropping three straight. Last time out for King, he went seven shutout innings against the Pirates. The right-hander will try to keep things going against another NL Central opponent.
It was Brady Singer who started for Cincinnati. Singer has had a rough 2026 campaign, sporting a 4.72 ERA through 137 1/3 innings. Singer has allowed the eighth-most home runs in MLB with 26.
Harris starts again
The left-handed Dustin Harris gets another start against the right-handed Singer. Harris is batting .500 in his limited 12 at bats with the brown and gold.
New series in Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/Mx6J8KsFqS
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 31, 2026
Padres break through
Six consecutive Padres hits led to four runs in the fourth inning. This included singles by Manny Machado, Ty France, Jackson Merrill, Dustin Harris and Luis Campusano, as well as a double by Xander Bogaerts.
The Swingin’ Friars. pic.twitter.com/u4NX30H0B4
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 31, 2026
King excellent again
Michael King built off his last outing against the Pirates (7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K), with six shutout frames vs. the Reds. The Reds bats couldn’t seem to get much going off the Padres ace. King allowed four hits, three walks and struck out six across his 96 pitch outing. The 31-year-old right-hander got the Reds to swing and miss a total of 13 times. King lowers his 2026 ERA to 3.11 across 162.0 innings.
France shoots one the other way
An RBI single into right field off the former Padre Pierce Johnson brings in the fifth San Diego run.
RBI single for Ty France makes it 5-0 #padres over the Reds pic.twitter.com/DkhRbihLYN
— Padres Central (@PadresCentral_) September 1, 2026
Pair of lefties complete the shutout
Kyle Hart pitched the seventh and eighth innings for the Friars. Hart was dominant in his two shutout frames. The Cincinnati native didn’t allow a hit, but walked one and struck out four.
Wandy Peralta tossed the ninth inning. Peralta allowed a hit, struck out one and closed out the game.
Recap
Michael King finally gets some run support and grabs his ninth win of the year.
Brady Singer allowed four earned runs and therefore got credited with the loss.
San Diego gets back into the win column and advances to 73-65.
With the loss, Cincinnati drops to 65-73.
The win on Monday marks the first time the Padres shut out the Reds in Cincinnati since June 25, 2016.
Tuesday in Cincy
San Diego and Cincinnati will play game 2 of this three-game series on Tuesday. Randy Vásquez will start for the Padres, with Nick Lodolo starting for the Reds. First pitch is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. PDT.
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.