Padres’ Ramon Laureano walks off Red Sox in Michael King’s return
Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Ramon Laureano hits a walk off single in the bottom of the 10th inning to even the series at one game each
The San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox met at Petco Park for the second of three games in a crucial inner-league battle.
This was a significant game for the Padres, regardless of the result. Opening Day starter Michael King, who was having a phenomenal season before the injury, returned to action for the Friars for the first time since May 18.
The Padres defeated the Red Sox 5-4 in extra innings after closer Robert Suarez blew a save in the ninth inning. Everyone contributed to this big win that gives the Padres a chance to win the series on Sunday afternoon.
“First of all, it was nice to have Michael (King) back,” Manager Mike Shildt said postgame. “I’m sure he would have liked to have gone longer, but what a good sight to see Michael King back on the mpound for the Padres. We gutted through it. We got to a point where we had to turn it over. Thankfully we got some weight from Nick (Pivetta) last night, and he we go, we ran them (the bullpen) out there.”
King did not have a long leash. Manager Mike Shildt and pitching coach Ruben Niebla settled on a pitch count for King and did not let him get to 60 pitches. King was removed in the third inning after he allowed Alex Bregman’s second double of the night. King ended going 2.0 innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, walked two, and struck out one batter.
Despite the short sample size, the Padres are happy to have their ace back. With King and Yu Darvish back in the rotation, the Friars have a set of starting pitchers capable of getting the job done in the postseason.
The Padres have a postseason (Potential World Series preview) this weekend when hosting the flaming hot Boston Red Sox.
Lucas Giolito started for the Sox. He started well, but the Padres were able to rough him up in the 5th inning when he walked three straight hitters, giving the Padres the lead.
Xander Bogaerts began the scoring with a solo shot in the second inning.
XOXO pic.twitter.com/lcZZq28Mzl
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 10, 2025
That was his first career hit against the Red Sox since leaving the historic franchise for San Diego. Down 3-1 the next inning, Bogaerts followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit down to just one.
In the 5th inning, the Padres had some discipline at-bats. They forced Giolito to walk Bogaerts to force the bases loaded, then he walked Ryan O’Hearn and Ramon Laureano to score two runs and give SD a 4-3 lead.
With a slight advantage, it was up to the Padres’ bullpen to finish off the crucial contest.
Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon, and Mason Miller set up Suarez with scoreless innings, striking out the Red Sox hitters. Up 4-3, it was up to Suarez to finish the job.
The MLB leader in saves allowed an infield single to Ceddanne Rafaela, who eventually scored on a ground rule double from rookie Roman Anthony. Suarez bounced back by striking out Trevor Story and the Padres stayed alive.
Jason Adam relieved Suarez and pitched an excellent 10th inning, not allowing that free base runner to score. The Padres had their oppertunity to win the game in the bottom half of the 10th and wasted no time doing so.
With Bogaerts and second base, O’Hearn was intentionally walked with zero out to set up Laureano. On the first pitch, the new left fielder hit a grounder to third base, just over the head of Bregman for the walk-off hit.
It’s Ramón’s world and we’re just living in it 🤘 pic.twitter.com/n6VY2h9lHy
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 10, 2025
Welcome to San Diego Ramon Laureano.
“My first thought was to hit a homer,” Laureano said postgame about the approach before the walk off. “And then I guess they were going to give me the bunt sign … and I don’t know the signs and then I was like, ‘lets chop it down.'”
Laureano gave a funny postgame interview and has been quite a delight for the Friars since he and O’Hearn were traded from the Baltimore Orioles. This team is deep, ready to make a lot of noise.
The Padres will had the ball to Dylan Cease for the rubber match on Sunday. Brayan Bello will toe the slab for the Red Sox. A series win for the Padres would be massive to keep their division deficit at three games or fewer from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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.