Padres defeat Mariners 4-1, win sixth straight
Credit: Reuters
Padres’ Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts lead the charge to keep the win streak alive at six games
The San Diego Padres are back at Petco Park to take on the Seattle Mariners for a 3-game series, aiming to keep the winning streak running. This Tuesday night affair featured two elite right-handers, Michael King and Bryan Woo. King would earn a win on the night as the Friars improved to 11-6 on the season.
“We knew it would be a pitcher’s duel today, a couple runs could be the outcome, and it was today,” Bogaerts said postgame.
King began the game having a little bit of control issues, hitting two batters; however, it only cost him one run. The right-hander still managed to give the Mariners hitters fits by striking out five in three innings without walking another batter. In fact, when the Mariners scored the one run in the second inning, it was off a sacrifice fly to center as Seattle did not barrel up the ball for a hit. An infield hit, a bunt, and a hit batsman caused the eventual sac-fly.
The Friars responded in the third inning, led in charge by the hottest hitter on the team, Ramon Laureano, and his .874 OPS entering the contest. The left fielder smashed a triple off the right field wall, and Fernando Tatis Jr. drove him home with a single to center field to tie the game, 1-1. After a single and a stolen base by Merrill, Bogaerts ripped a line-drive single to center to take a 3-1 lead.
Slight work for Xander. pic.twitter.com/r7L1Ff4Hk1
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 15, 2026
These are the type of innings that make the Padres dangerous. King walked back to the mound with a 2-run lead in the 4th inning.
An inning later, as King was aiming to earn himself a chance at a win, he escaped what could have been a jam thanks to a great play from Ty France. The San Diego State product and former Mariner dove and caught a line drive and landed on first base for the double play. Julio Rodriguez was on first after he walked, but had no chance to get back to the base as France literally landed on the bag with the ball. That could have been a run off the bat from former Friar Josh Naylor.
Josh Naylor just had a would-be base hit taken away by the guy who used to man his position in Seattle — old friend, Ty France. pic.twitter.com/ZfZ5PG9hja
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 15, 2026
There is something about watching a Gold Glove go to work.
Double plays seemed to be the theme for the Mariners’ offense in this game, as they would hit into two more in the 6th and 8th innings, to ruin any type of momentum they had. King pitched a gem against the Mariners, allowing just four hits in six innings. His defense helped him get out of innings, but the right-hander had his stuff going in this game.
“I feel like we had a pretty good game plan and executed it from the start,” King said postgame.
“He (King) pitched great,” manager Craig Stammen said postgame. “He gets into a high pitch count early, and he doesn’t look like he is sharp and walks a couple of guys and gives up hits, but he gets out of those innings and cruises later in the game. Tonight was kind of like that, too … six strong, and we can turn it over to the bullpen at that point.”
In the bottom of the 8th, Merrill led off with a double to left, and left fielder Randy Arozarena actually saved a triple or even an inside-the-park home run with his slide to stop the ball. Two hitters later, Bogaerts drove Merrill in for his 3rd RBI of the game.
Xander Bogaerts adds an insurance to make it 4-1 #Padres pic.twitter.com/gQ8zm6I2gO
— Carlos (@LFGPads19) April 15, 2026
The Padres then turned to Mason Miller in the 9th inning to shut the door. “Blind” by Korn roared around the field, and fans were going crazy as Miller had a three-run advantage, aiming to earn his 5th save of the season. The Mariners could not do any damage, and the Padres took the first of three games in front of their home fans.
“He (Miller) only struck out one tonight, down night for him, I guess,” Stammen said postgame with a laugh. “I wonder why I don’t pitch him more, sometimes.”
San Diego will go to Randy Vasquez (1-0, 1.02 ERA) in Game 2 of the series. Emerson Hancock (2-1, 2.04 ERA) will start for Seattle. First pitch is at 6:40 pm PT.
News & Stats
- Laureano: 2-4, triple, run
- Tatis Jr: 1-4, run, RBI
- Merrill: 3-4, 2 runs
- Bogaerts: 3-4, 3 RBIs
- France: 1-4
- Luis Campusano: 1-4
- Adrian Morejon pitched a clean 7th inning, followed by another solid inning from Jason Adam in his return.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.