Padres secure a 3-2 win in Boston
Credit: AP Photo
A dramatic lineup mix-up gets the job done in Boston
The new and improved Randy Vasquez was on the bump for the Padres on a cold, windy day in Boston. With Jackson Merrill getting a day off, the Padres’ lineup featured eight right-handed hitters set to face the young Red Sox lefty Connelly Early.
Ramon Laureano and Manny Machado were able to work impressive walks against the accurate Early in the first inning, but Miguel Andujar and Xander Bogaerts were not able to capitalize on a couple of fastballs left in the heart of the zone. Vasquez worked a quick first and made a nice, athletic play covering the bag on a ground ball to Ty France.
The second inning started a back-and-forth between the two teams. Freddy Fermin led the inning off with another walk, and Ty France launched a long single off the Green Monster.
A Bryce Johnson grounder was able to score Fermin from third, giving the Padres an early 1-0 lead. The Red Sox quickly bounced back, though, quickly putting two on. A nice Manny Machado diving stop forced a fielder’s choice out at second, but Marcelo Mayer hit a deep sacrifice fly to score Willson Contreras from third and tie the game at 1-1. Coming up after an Andujar double and Machado walk to start the third, Fermin shot a two-out double down the line to put the Padres back up 2-1. Although they only scored one, the Padres’ outs were also loud in the third, with all three having exit velocities over 92 MPH.
Freddy for the lead! pic.twitter.com/XUSMEq06Ti
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 4, 2026
While the next couple of innings were mostly quiet, the Padres’ patient approach chased Early out of the game by the 5th. Machado was able to earn his third walk in just as many plate appearances with new reliever Ryan Watson on the mound, but once again, the Friars could not do any damage with runners on. France crushed an opposite field linedrive the next inning, but, with the wind blowing in, Wilyer Abreu was able to make a nice grab. Fernando Tatis Jr. avenged France the next inning with an impressive running catch in the gap off the bat of Contreras to keep the Padres’ lead at 2-1.
Randy Vasquez finished the day there with six total innings and only one earned run. Randy’s velocity was down a bit across the board (potentially due to the weather), but it did not seem to faze him. He allowed six hits and a walk and did enough to keep the Padres in the lead. Estrada followed him up with a quick 1-2-3 7th, albeit there was loud contact on all three. However, Morejon was not able to hold the lead in the 8th. After two straight singles to start the inning, Morejon struck out Trevor Story and generated a groundball from pinch-hitter Andruw Monasterio. Unfortunately, Cronenworth was not able to initially squeeze the ball on second, allowing the runner from third to score instead of turning an inning-ending double-play.
After two outs to start the ninth and a scuffling Tatis coming to the plate to face Aroldis Chapman, the Padres looked to be letting the game slip away. Tatis was able to change the tune of the game by taking a high sinker and lacing it towards center field over Ceddanne Rafaela’s head for a 2-out double. The 113.5 MPH exit velocity was the hardest hit ball from Tatis since 2024. Laureano followed it up with a hard single to left, and, despite short left field in Fenway, Fernando was able to beat the throw home to take a 3-2 lead in the 9th.
In typical Ramón fashion ? pic.twitter.com/aT3HKRfaeY
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 4, 2026
With all the energy being wiped from the Red Sox fans, Mason Miller came in and did his job, striking out the side in 11 pitches. While the offense is still a concern, the Padres were able to secure a quality win in Boston today.
The Padres look to close out the series with a win tomorrow at 10:35 AM PDT. The weather forecast does not look promising, with showers expected in the afternoon. Assuming the weather holds up, Walker Buehler will start for San Diego against Boston’s veteran lefty, Ranger Suarez.
Jacob grew up with Padres season tickets and walls plastered with Khalil Greene memorabilia. He has dedicated all of his young professional career towards becoming baseball’s next AJ Preller, having already worked with minor league and college teams in different roles. He is always scouring the Baseball Savant page to find the next little nugget that might help his hometown Padres (or his fantasy baseball team).