Petco Park – San Diego

The San Diego Padres returned to Petco Park for the rubber match against the New York Yankees.

It’s been a wild two games for the Padres and Yanks. The inconsistent Padres offense is certainly costing the Friars some big games. However, Saturday night’s match is one of the few they’ve had where they haven’t gotten things going.

Michael King, the former Yankee, was on the mound for the Padres. A rather fitting reunion for the right-hander.

King opened to a one-two-three, 10-pitch inning.

He got the run support he desperately needed, thanks to back-to-back-to-back home runs from Fernando Tatis Jr, Jake Cronenworth, and Manny Machado.

GOING BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK pic.twitter.com/LddCasFIIc

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 6, 2026

This is the fourth time in franchise history this has happened. However, it’s the second time they’ve done it to open a game. The last time was on opening day in 1987. Only two other teams have done this twice: the Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Cronenworth’s homer is particularly interesting considering that’s his first career opposite-field home run.

As if that was not enough, this isn’t the first time Gerrit Cole has done this in his career. However, he’s the only pitcher in MLB history to do it more than once.

Michael King continued to dominate the mound, holding the Yankees scoreless. Even with runners in scoring position, he didn’t waver a single time.

In the afternoon, King pitched six scoreless frames, allowing only four hits and striking out three batters.

Cole lasted a little longer than King. However, he allowed another home run in the seventh inning from Luis Campusano, making the score 4-0.

No doubt about that one. pic.twitter.com/Ftsa8zEw3J

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 6, 2026

The taxed bullpen, therefore, only had to close out three innings for the Padres. Against the Yankees, the bullpen has been fantastic, holding the Yankees scoreless.

However, things changed in the eighth inning. With one out and Adrian Morejon on the mound, things got tough. The Yankees scored off a single and then a throwing error from Morejon. In a very short time, this game was within a run.

This ended the Padres’ chances at a scoreless victory. To this day, they haven’t shut out the Yankees.

With the game so close, the Padres sent out Mason Miller to close the game. Lately, the Reaper hasn’t been as hot as he started the season. However, he clearly understood today’s assignment and shut the door on the Yankees.

The Padres win the rubber match against the Yankees. This is the first series win against the Yankees since 2016. The Padres opened the game dramatically; however, the final score showed just how necessary that early power was.

The Padres continue their homestand on Monday against the Washington Nationals. The probable pitchers are still TBD.

Fabian Garcia