Padres end first homestand with series-finale win vs. Giants 7-1
Credit: ABC7 San Diego
In the series conclusion against the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres managed to salvage one game in the three-game matchup. Nick Pivetta’s outstanding start and great bullpen work, followed by timely hitting from Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado, allowed San Diego to pick up a 7-1 victory. It was a very needed victory for a team that had its worst opening to a season in years.
The Friars got on the board in the first inning as Jackson Merrill was plated on a Manny Machado infield single. Casey Schmitt could not handle the ball, and Merrill took advantage. The Padres would tack on another run in the 5th after a Gavin Sheets double and a 9-pitch walk from Tatis. Bogaerts hit a ball right to Matt Chapman to bring home Sheets, as Schmitt could not catch the ball once again. The San Diego State product had a rough day in the field.
Unfortunately, Merrill would then fly out on the very next pitch to end the inning with two runners in scoring position. The team did get another RBI via Gavin Sheets’ double in the 6th, bringing home Ramon Laureano. Sheets, who had been hitless before this game, went 3-4 for two doubles and an RBI for the game.
Gavin adds on 💪 pic.twitter.com/uu6NlyaSU9
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 1, 2026
The Padres would also answer the Giants’ only run in the bottom of the 8th off of reliever Jose Butto. Butto gave up a Manny Machado double and a Ramon Laureano home run, his second of the year. From there, Butto would walk the bases loaded, and Tatis would single in a run, and Bogaerts would walk in another. Ryan Borucki would come in for the injured Butto and get Merrill to hit into a double play.
¡Vamos, Ramoncito! pic.twitter.com/ySgn7M8Oof
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 1, 2026
The Padres, however, continued to have offensive issues as they went 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position, left eight on base, and failed to take advantage of multiple opportunities. It may sound weird to critique offense after a six-run victory, but given the opportunities and poor pitching, the Padres could have been up by double digits by the end of the game.
Coming off a disastrous Opening Day, Nick Pivetta looked a lot more like his 2025 self; he pitched five strong innings with eight strikeouts (including setting the Giants down by way of the K in the third), only allowing a single hit to Luis Arraez to start the second and two walks. His 82-pitch outing was a big improvement over his first start.
Fantastic bounce back from Pivetta. Pitch shapes truly elite. More importantly location vastly improved. pic.twitter.com/MfOeSD1pH5
— Letters To AJ (@Letters2AJ) April 1, 2026
Jeremiah Estrada pitched a scoreless 6th – also a big improvement on his previous outing – though Adrian Morejon had major control issues over 1 2/3 innings, giving up two hits, including a run on a Harrison Bader single with two outs in the 7th. Mason Miller would come on with two outs in the top of the 8th for a save situation, only for the Padres offense to remove the opportunity. Miller would still finish out the game, giving up one hit with three strikeouts on 19 pitches.
The Padres are off Thursday before beginning a three-game series at Fenway against the Boston Red Sox. Friday’s series opener will be at 11:10 am PST with Michael King taking the mound against Sonny Gray.
A Native San Diegan, Loren has spent his entire life not only as a fan but an active participant in San Diego’s sports world. In 2006 Loren joined two other die hard Charger fans to create Bolttalk, where Loren was a co-host and regular columnist from 2006 until the Chargers left in 2017. After that he started another podcast, The Grid Podshow, from 2020-2021 with his former co-host and colleague, speaking about the local sports community and popular culture.
When he’s not giving his opinion about San Diego sports, Loren is an adjunct professor at San Diego State and an attorney.