The San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants begin a four-game series at Petco Park, starting on Thursday night. San Diego (55-53) looks to keep their five-game winning streak against a struggling Giants team. With AJ Preller and the Padres likely to be buyers at this year’s trade deadline, this four-game set against a Giants team with a record of 46-62 appears massive in gaining ground in the National League Wild Card race. As it stands, the Padres are 1.5 games back of the third and final Wild Card spot.

JP Sears got the ball to start the game for the Padres on Thursday. In six games in 2026 (five starts), Sears has done quite well, pitching to a 3.86 ERA in 28.0 innings.

The veteran left-hander Robbie Ray started the game for rookie manager Tony Vitello and his Giants. Ray, in 116 2/3 innings, has struck out 101 batters and has pitched to an ERA of 3.16.

Rengifo batting second

Luis Rengifo has owned the lefty Ray in his career, slashing a .545/.583/1.182 in 11 at-bats. Rengifo, who’s seen Ray well in his career, hits second as Jake Cronenworth slides in the order against the southpaw.

New series on deck. pic.twitter.com/0OA0qCrJxC

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 30, 2026

Giants put up three

Fernando Tatis Jr. robs Rafael Devers of a three-run shot, but Heliot Ramos comes in to score on a sacrifice fly.

What a catch ? pic.twitter.com/6bkDwwYxjF

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 31, 2026

Daniel Susac hit his first two big league home runs on Wednesday and tacked on more for the Giants with a 406 blast to left field.

SUSAC CAN’T BE STOPPED ? pic.twitter.com/NNPMMssUCI

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) July 31, 2026

San Diego gets on the board

Xander Bogaerts brings in Ty France with a two-out single into right-center field.

RBI single for Xander Bogaerts and it’s 3-1 Giants#padres #forthefaithful pic.twitter.com/3FnGMr7vPm

— Padres Highlights (@FriarHighlights) July 31, 2026

Peralta and Campy keep the bases stranded

Wandy Peralta came into the game in the fourth in relief for JP Sears. Home plate umpire Willie Traynor calls the pitch a ball, but gets overturned by the challenge of Luis Campusano.

What a challenge by Luis Campy Campusano#padres get out of the bases-loaded jam against the Giants, still up 3-1#forthefaithful pic.twitter.com/PmXAlLXajo

— Padres Highlights (@FriarHighlights) July 31, 2026

Sears gets the early hook

Many of the Padres’ starting pitchers have had a short leash, as of late, JP Sears being one of them. Sears struggled to keep the Giants off the basepaths. This is what led to the early yank from Craig Stammen. Sears lasted just 3 2/3 innings, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits. The lefty walked a man and struck out two. Sears exited the game with bases loaded in the fourth, throwing just 67 pitches.

Wandy gives up one

Wandy Peralta, who finished the fourth inning, started the fifth inning. Devers and Jung Hoo Lee reached to begin the frame, then both would advance into scoring position on a wild pitch. Willy Adames lined out for the first out. Peralta then got lifted for the right-handed Randy Vásquez to face the right-handed Daniel Susac. Susac plated Devers on a sacrifice fly to Jackson Merrill, which made the score 4-1 Giants in the fifth.

Peralta tossed 2/3 of an inning, giving up a hit, earned run, all while walking one and striking out one.

Randy succeeds in the bullpen

Called upon in the fifth inning, Randy Vásquez completed the game for the Padres. Vásquez provided great length, which helped out the bullpen and starting rotation that has failed to work deep into games. The righty tossed 4 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just three hits, walking one, and striking out one.

Recap

In what may be his last start as a Giant, Robbie Ray received his 10th win of the year.

JP Sears and his three earned runs allowed collected the loss on Thursday.

Erik Miller picked up the save for the Giants, his fourth of the year.

San Francisco improves their record to 47-62 with the win.

San Diego falls to 55-54 with the loss.

The Padres remain the first team out of the playoffs after Thursday’s game, sitting 2.0 games behind the Diamondbacks and Phillies, who share the same record.

City Connect Friday in San Diego

The Padres and Giants will play game two of the four-game series on Friday night. Both starting pitchers are to be determined.

The first pitch on Apple TV is scheduled for 6:45 PM PT.

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 third year community college student, and will transfer to SDSU to pursue a career in Journalism.