Tigers take the series against Padres as San Diego’s bats go quiet against Reese Olson 

San Diego Padres’ southpaw Kyle Hart made his fourth start as a Padre.

Coming into today, Hart was hoping to do better than his recent outing against the Astros over the weekend. Hart has seemingly struggled against right-handed hitters, and the Tigers put out a predominantly right-handed lineup.

The Friars got a base runner in the first thanks to a fielding error by Gleyber Torres. Reese Olson foreshadowed the type of day he would have on the mound by striking out Gavin Sheets and Manny Machado. Tatis attempted to steal third base and was finally caught stealing for the first time this year.

Hart started by getting a weak ground in the bottom half of the first. Then, in a 2-2 count, Torres hit the ball a mile to left center to make it 1-0 Tigers early on. Hart quickly found himself in trouble with the bases loaded and one out. Hart would get out of the inning, only giving up the one run after striking out Zach McKinstry and Dillon Dingler.

The Padres’ offense could not get anything going against Olson on Wednesday. Olson pitched very well, mixing in his pitches and hitting his spots against the Padres’ inexperienced lineup. Jose Iglesias had the Padres’ lone two hits, with one coming in the third inning. The Padres attempted a sac bunt, not advancing Iglesias to second. Martin Maldonado and Fernando Tatis Jr each grounded out, ending the inning. Olson was quick and efficient, throwing 61 pitches before the start of the seventh inning.

After a busy first inning, Hart kept the Tigers off balance with his sweeper and command of the fastball—that is, until the fifth inning.

Hart got the first out of the fifth before Justyn-Henry Malloy hit a solo home run to left, putting the Tigers up 2-0. Alek Jacob came in for 1.2 innings of relief, put up a zero, and kept the Tigers at bay. It looked like the Padres’ bullpen would keep them in the game and within striking distance. However, Adrian Morejon came in seventh and was clearly off his game. Morejon could not locate his sinker or his fastball to the Tigers hitters, and Henry Malloy took advantage of a middle-middle sinker to add another run. After Riley Greene drove home Malloy from second, the damage had been done with a 4-0 Tigers lead.

The Padres looked like they may have found life with a hard hit out, and then two batters getting on in the eighth to chase starter Olson from the game. The Tigers brought in their closer, Tommy Kahnle, and he induced two flyouts to end the inning.

El Mago looking like a natural in center field ? pic.twitter.com/JX4lIBpd00

— MLB (@MLB) April 23, 2025

Yuki Matsui came in to keep the Padres in slam range, but Matsui faltered. Matsui gave up a single and then a two-run home run as the Tigers extended their lead to 6-0. Tatis Jr did not do MVP things today, going 0-for-3, ending his 23-game on-base streak.

Following the loss, Mike Shildt spoke about how hard the game of baseball truly can be. Shildt stated, “tells how impressive and how hard this game is, and how impressive it is to do that in a 24-game span.” Shildt’s answer was after a question about why the Padres looked uncharacteristic, not getting a base runner for four innings or more straight for the first time all year. Baseball is a very hard game, and games like today will happen throughout the course of a 162-game season.

The Padres have an off day tomorrow and then come back home for a three-game set over the weekend against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The probable matches for Friday, April 25, are Shane Baz vs. Michael King at 6:40 PM PT.

Bryant Thursby

Assistant Coach at Heritage High School. A big time SDSU fanatic and Padres fan.