Petco Park- San Diego

In search of wins, the San Diego Padres welcomed the Cincinnati Reds to Petco Park for a three-game series.

The Reds are minus their superstar shortstop, Elly De La Cruz, who is on the I.L. with a hamstring injury. Cincinnati is also missing its closer, former Friar Emilio Pagan, and possesses one of the worst bullpens in the league. The Reds were also 2-8 in their last 10 coming into the game.

This looked to be a recipe for success.

Walker Buehler made the start for the Padres. The right-handed pitcher got into trouble in the first, but Samad Taylor threw out Blake Dunn at home plate to end the first inning without damage. Beuhler settled in for the most part, allowing one earned run. However, he did so in his last frame of work and failed to make it out of the fifth inning. Beuhler threw 86 pitches and went 4 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits, four walks, and striking out four. He was not involved in the decision.

Andrew Abbott came into Monday’s start with great success against the Padres in his past. Abbott had faced the San Diego Padres four times in his MLB career, posting a 2–0 record with a 0.98 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 27.2 innings pitched.

Samad Taylor and Jase Bowen both started in the game as manager Craig Stammen looks for something to jumpstart the Padres’ anemic offense. Both outfielders were playing in the PCL this time last week.

The PCL’ers would energize the Padres in this game on several levels, but it was a familiar face that got the team going.

San Diego got out to an early lead as Freddy Fermin blasted his third home run in as many games.

Freddy Fermin is the hottest hitter in MLB pic.twitter.com/CNcalJEaBc

— Average Takes (@AverageTakes_) June 9, 2026

The catcher sent a hanging breaking pitch into the left field stands to give the Padres a 1-0 lead after three innings.

Abbott was cruising with the 2-1 lead into the bottom of the 7th inning. Xander Bogaerts tomahawked a fastball into the left-center field gap to open the inning for San Diego. A Gavin Sheets inside-out double down the left-field line scored Bogaerts and forced Abbott from the game. It was a decent start for the lefty, who kept his career numbers on par against the Padres.

San Diego decided to play small ball to get back into the game. The team laid down three consecutive bunts to score a run and reload the bases with nobody out.

What a bunt from Jase Bowen right here#padres #forthefaithful pic.twitter.com/7UJrClG6L2

— Carlos (@LFGPads19) June 9, 2026

Jase Bowen’s bunt single set up a first a nd third for the team with nobody out. Samad Taylor followed that up with a safety squeeze that the Reds’ defense blew. Finally, Freddy Fermin reloaded the bases with yet another bunt that was botched by Cincinnati.

Sadly, for the Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr, Jackson Merrill, and Ty France went down in order without driving in a run for San Diego. After a great moment that energized the crowd, the Padres went down weakly. That is just how life has been for the offense so far this season.

The Padres still held a 3-2 lead at this point, and overall, that is a great formula for the Padres.

Jason Adam cruised through a scoreless 8th inning, and that set up Mason Miller for the kill.

San Diego added three insurance runs in the 9th inning as Samad Taylor got a clutch two-out hit to drive in a pair for the Padres. Fermin followed that with a single to score the speedy outfielder from second base. Taylor (2-for-4, SB) and Jase Bowen (2-for-3, 2 SB) both enjoyed excellent games, and Freddy Fermin went 2-for-3 out of the nine hole. The Padres collected 10 hits in the game, and six of them came from the bottom three hitters. “We are sparkplugs. The engine does not run with its sparkplugs,” Taylor said after the game.

Miller did not disappoint, even though it was now a non-save situation. He mowed down the Reds 1-2-3 to secure the 6-2 win for San Diego.

Up next for the Padres is game two of the series, which is set for Tuesday night at 6:40 PDT.

Chase Burns (7-1, 2.05 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Reds, and Lucas Giolito (2-1, 4.86 ERA) will pitch for the Padres.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.