The San Diego Padres (70-60) finish off their three-game series against the Minnesota Twins (63-67), looking for a sweep. Walker Buehler takes the rubber to try to put San Diego eleven games above .500, but Bailey Ober of Minnesota is hoping to salvage this game three.

Series finale on deck. pic.twitter.com/hr4TP2FBMC

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 23, 2026

Stay hot, Fernando Tatis Jr.!!

What a second half of the season it has been for Fernando Tatis Jr. When he hits one of these hot streaks, he can be one of the best players in baseball. In the bottom of the third, the Padres were hitless vs starter Bailey Ober. But with one out, Tatis Jr changed that with a 396ft solo shot to left to give San Diego a 1-0 advantage. His sixteenth home run of the season.

It’s gonna go. pic.twitter.com/wtIAWIOIm5

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 23, 2026

Twins tie it up in the fifth, but Padres strike back in a big way

Walker Buehler was having a perfect start until the top of the fifth. With two outs in the inning, Brooks Lee mashed a low cutter over the right-center wall to tie things up at one apiece. Only the third hit allowed in Buehler’s outing up to that point.

But this Padres team has been resilient and had a response in the bottom of the sixth. It started with Jackson Merrill reaching on a fielding error by the rookie shortstop Kaelen Culpepper. However, he was caught stealing second. Luis Campusano and Austin Hays worked walks on pitcher Kody Funderburk. That would be it on the day for Funderburk as Jeff Hoffman came in to relieve him.

Xander Bogaerts would then walk to load the bases for Luis Rengifo. Rengifo would then hit a two-run double down the right field line to allow the Padres to retake the lead 3-1. Runners on second and third for Fernando Tatis Jr.to try and extend the lead. He would hit a soft line drive to center, scoring both Bogaerts and Rengifo to give the Friars a 5-1 lead. Jake Cronenworth would ground out to short, and Manny Machado would pop out to first in foul territory to end the inning.

Walker Buehler has a very productive Sunday

Another quality day from a Padres starting pitcher, which San Diego missed a lot early on in this season. Today, it was Walker Buehler who turned in six innings. Other than the solo shot he gave up, it was a very nice showing as the Twins weren’t generating any activity on the basepath. Buehler would finish the day going six innings, giving up four hits, no walks, one run (earned), and striking out four Twins hitters.

Padres’ offense opens the floodgates to finish off the sweep

The ball looked like a beach ball today to the Padres offense as they poured it on to finish off the routing of Minnesota. In the bottom of the seventh with one out, Jackson Merrill slapped a solo shot 414ft over the right field wall with one out. His twenty-first of the season. Next up was Luis Campusano, who would strike out for the second out of the inning. Austin Hays worked a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch during Xander Bogaerts’ at-bat. Bogaerts would then hit a double to center to bring in Hays to push the lead to 6, 7-1.

The Kid’s up to something ? pic.twitter.com/zkvsx6tCOy

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 23, 2026

But the Fernando Tatis Jr.show this afternoon wasn’t over yet. He would get in on the fun again in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run for an 8-1 San Diego lead. He would finish his day going 4/5 with two home runs and four RBI’s. Yuki Mastui would finish the Twins off in the ninth for the sweep and get the Padres eleven games above .500 with a 71-60 record.

First time was so nice, he had to do it twice. pic.twitter.com/zzeVqjJUsv

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 23, 2026

Staying at Petco Park

The San Diego Padres (71-60) will continue this homestand with a three-game set vs the Pittsburgh Pirates (63-69). The Padres will have Robbie Ray start against the Pirates’ Braxton Ashcraft. First pitch of game one is at 6:40 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.