The San Diego Padres (25-18) and Seattle Mariners (22-23) continue the Vedder Cup series for the final three-game set between the two teams.

The Padres were looking to keep their perfect 3-0 record against the Mariners after claiming the first three meetings at Petco Park.

San Diego was able to pull off the victory, sealing the series win. The 2-0 game was dominated by the Padres’ pitching staff.

New series starts today. pic.twitter.com/NuPx7g3tws

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 15, 2026

The Padres get the first run on the board

In what has been an uneventful start offensively for both teams, which was expected between these squads, the Padres got on the board first. They had a chance in the second inning to score with bases loaded, one out, but Sung-Mun Song grounded into a double play.

But the same guys who got the bases loaded worked their magic once more. Manny Machado started the top of the third with a lineout to right. Gavin Sheets would get on base once again after a nice nine-pitch at-bat; he worked it into a walk. Then Xander Bogaerts, who already has a single today, flew out to deep center for the second out of the inning.

The Padres needed some action. Miguel Andujar was the man for the job. Before he could do anything, though, Gavin Sheets stole second base with no contest. Andujar would then hit a hard linedrive over JP Crawford’s head into the left center gap, allowing Sheets to score the first run of the game, 1-0. Ramon Lauerano struck out to end the inning.

Miggy comes through. pic.twitter.com/koVfD8NCsQ

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 16, 2026

Xander Bogaerts and Ramon Laureano are showing off the glove to keep a doughnut on the board

When you expect to win with three runs or fewer every night, you need key pitching and defense. The first key defensive play was for the first out of the bottom of the fifth. Dominic Canzone hit a hard grounder to the left of second base, where Xander Bogaerts was playing over due to the shift. Bogaerts running to his left, stabbed it in the grass, spun to get momentum on his throw to first, which made it just in time for the out.

What a play by Xander Bogaerts at shortstop #Padres #ForTheFaithful pic.twitter.com/InJnxmRoY3

— Carlos (@LFGPads19) May 16, 2026

Then Ramon Lauerano made a big play after a double from Cole Young in the fifth. Jhonny Pereda hit a hard sinking linedrive at the right fielder, but before it could sniff grass, Lauerano lay out, made the grab, and was able to get Young out on second as he was already to third base and too late for him to go back to close the inning.

Ramon Laureano doubles up Cole Young with this nice play in LF# padres putting on a defensive clinic in the 5th #ForTheFaithful pic.twitter.com/00GggezDiB

— Carlos (@LFGPads19) May 16, 2026

Randy Vasquez keeps rolling

One of the biggest storylines of the season for the Padres has been the improvement of Randy Vasquez this season. All night, he was getting soft contact on the ground, allowing the defense to do its job. Even when it seemed like there was a big hit, it was just a loosely flyball that didn’t even make it to the warning track. Vasquez only saw runners in scoring position two times in his outing, and no runners advanced past second. He finished his night with six innings pitched, giving up four hits, no runs, no walks, and claiming three strikeouts.

Padres tack on another in the seventh

Game still going the way that it was predicted to go, with both teams having strong pitching. The Padres, leading 1-0, needed to get some space for the bullpen to do its magic. In the top of the seventh with one out, Miguel Andujar kept his good night at the plate going with a single to center. Then, Ramon Lauerano, who is finally starting to come alive again at the plate, gets a single to right, moving Andujar to third. Coming up is Sung-Mun Song, who was looking to get redemption after his first chance with runners in scoring position. Song hit a grounder to the first baseman, Josh Naylor, who had to go to his knees to make the play, and tried to tag Lauerano running behind him, but missed and had his only option at first to retire Song, allowing Andujar to score. SD leads 2-0.

Bullpen gets it done in tense situations

In the seventh, is when the bullpen was called upon to do its work to get the Padres’ win number twenty-six on the year. First up was Adrian Morejon. He would walk the former Padre and pinch-hitter Connor Joe to start the outing, but would get a popout, strikeout, and ground out to close the seventh.

Now, the setup man, Jason Adam, and he would run into some adversity. Adam started by striking out Jhonny Pereda. However, he would give up a single to Brendan Donovan and a walk to Julio Rodriguez. He would get Josh Naylor to fly out to center for the second out, but that would be it for him in this appearance. Manager Craig Stammen made the move to go to Mason Miller for a four-out save, which has been a theme recently. Miller would give up a fluke single to Randy Arozarena, but would end up battling Connor Joe and would end up catching him looking at strike three to close the eighth.

The ninth was just as intense as the Padres seal it

Miller would come out for the ninth, and before he did, the Padres had runners on second and third, no one out, and were unsuccessful in bringing one across, which killed a little momentum. He would walk JP Crawford to start the frame. Would strike out Rob Refsnyder before giving up a single to right to Cole Young. It was very evident that the lefties were sitting on the slider that would be coming into them to try and get on base, as multiple times they were aggressive on the pitch.

Miller would get pinch-hitter Mitch Garver to strike out on three consecutive pitches. Bringing up lefty Brendan Donovan, who was aggressive trying to hit the slider, fouling one off, and getting into a 2-2 count. His aggression would be his end as Miller put one too far inside and got Donovan swinging for strike three to close out the game for a Padres 2-0 win. Save number fourteen for Mason Miller was taxing, taking thirty-four pitches to get it.

Mama, that’s a bad man. pic.twitter.com/dnAiu7smyi

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 16, 2026

The Padres officially clinch the Vedder Cup for the first time in the rivalry series and are a perfect 4-0 vs the Mariners in 2026

After tonight’s win and their sweep of Seattle in April, the @Padres are the winners of this year’s Vedder Cup! pic.twitter.com/FEaOqV0RL4

— MLB (@MLB) May 16, 2026

What’s next

The San Diego Padres (26-18) continue this three-game set in Seattle vs. the Mariners (22-24) on Saturday, May 16, at 4:15 PM PT.

The Padres got Walker Buehler on the mound, squaring off against Mariners Logan Gilbert.

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.