The San Diego Padres (60-56) square off with the Houston Astros (59-57), looking to start on a high note to begin a six-game homestand. For the Friars, newbie Robbie Ray gets the start on the mound against struggling Ronel Blanco for the Astros.

Keep it rolling. pic.twitter.com/pLmBrLjBqj

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 7, 2026

Robbie Ray has a very unsatisfying start to his debut

So far through two new starting pitcher debuts, there has been a lot left to be desired. Some very poor command from Robbie Ray puts the Padres in an early hole. In the top of the second, a 93-MPH sinker right down the middle gets punished by Cam Smith for a solo shot over the left-field wall.

Cam Smith (14) TAKES ONE DEEP ?
104.2 mph · 383 ft · 21°
LHP Robbie Ray · 94 mph sinker

⚾ HOU 1 – SD 0 • Top 2nd pic.twitter.com/rgvW6cVodY

— PlayPulse HRs (@PlayPulseHRs) August 8, 2026

Then, in the top of the third, a leadoff walk to Yordan Alvarez and a single from Isaac Paredes set the stage for the Astros. Ray would then walk Jose Altuve. This allowed Christian Walker a golden opportunity to get some more runs on the board. He would cash in with a single up the middle to bring in Alvarez and Paredes, 3-0 Houston. A double play from Daulton Varsho and a groundout from Yanier Diaz got Ray out of the inning.

Horrific baserunning negated a chance to get on the board

In a very shaky start from Robbie Ray, the Padres’ offense needed to get on the board in some fashion. Sung Mun-Song would start the bottom of the third with a single to right, where he was able to grab second on a fielding error by right fielder Cam Smith. But not even two pitches later in Fernando Tatis Jr.‘s at-bat, Song would try to swipe third and would get thrown out by catcher Yanier Diaz. Absolutely zero reason, with no outs and the top of the lineup due up, should you try to steal third in a game where you are down three runs.

Astros add another, but the Padres cut the deficit in half

The top of the fourth was more of the same for starter Robbie Ray. With one out, Jake Meyers would get a double to right. Then a walk to Jeremy Pena would give one of the most dangerous hitters in the league, Yordan Alvarez, a chance to blow this one open. He would manage an RBI single past the first baseman, Jake Cronenworth, to extend Houston’s lead to 4-0. Ray would get Isaac Paredes to ground into an inning-ending double play to keep the game in hand.

This time of year, the Padres have to fight in games like these for a chance to play in October. To open the bottom of the fourth, Manny Machado got a single to center. Next up was Luis Rengifo, who softly grounded out to third to advance Machado to second. Jackson Merrill then hit a triple to right field, scoring Machado and getting San Diego on the board. Following that was Luis Campusano, who worked a walk. Unfortunately, Gavin Sheets would hit a grounder to first for a 3-6 double play to end the inning. However, Luis Campusano would fall down short of second, giving time for Merrill to cross home before the final out was recorded to inch the Padres closer, 4-2.

Jackson Merrill’s RBI triple puts the #padres on the board

4-1 Astros pic.twitter.com/YlpssR0n9K

— Padres Highlights (@FriarHighlights) August 8, 2026

Both teams trade home runs

After starting with one of the longest droughts of his career of not hitting a home run, Fernando Tatis Jr.has reached ten on the year. He cranked a 400ft homerun into the third deck of the Western Metal Supply building to get the Padres within one.

El Niño con un cañonazo. pic.twitter.com/SMKjhpO8C3

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 8, 2026

 

To start the sixth, Yuki Matsui would relieve Robbie Ray. Ray finished the night with five innings pitched, giving up seven hits, five walks, four runs (all earned), and getting his first two strikeouts as a Padre. Matsui would give up a home run to Cam Smith to lead off the sixth to get the lead back to two for the Astros. Smith’s second of the game.

Astros score one more to put the Padres away

The Padres had an opportunity with bases loaded, two outs in the seventh. But Luis Rengifo, with a 3-1 count, grounded out to second. This allowed the Astros to put the game away. In the top of the eighth, with one out, Wandy Peralta gave up back-to-back singles to Cam Smith and Jake Meyers. Jeremy Pena would then hit a grounder to second for a 4-3-6 double play, but before they could tag Meyers out at second, Smith scored to give the Astros a 6-3 lead.

San Diego’s offense would go out without a peep in the ninth to fall back two games out of the wildcard race after a late Diamondbacks walkoff against the Dodgers.

Up next for the Friars

The San Diego Padres (60-57) continue the home series against the Houston Astros (60-57) at Petco Park. The Padres have Michael King on the mound, hoping to get a win on the board, while the Astros bring Peter Lambert. First pitch is at 4:15 PM PT.

Wyatt Dearen

Hi Padres fans, I’m Wyatt Dearen. I am from Farmington, New Mexico, which is home to one of the most prestigious high school baseball tournaments in America, the Connie Mack World Series. When it comes around, I do color and statistics for the radio. I am currently pursuing a degree in Sports Administration at the University of Houston #GoCoogs. I have been a sports fan my whole life, following all the major sports leagues since I could walk, and it has been my dream my whole life to work in sports. Thankful to write about the team and for the East VillageTimes.