Padres’ 9th-Inning Rally Over Diamondbacks: Inside the Thrilling Finish

By Oliver Wiener August 10, 2025 19:02

The San Diego Padres staged a thrilling 9th-inning rally to overcome the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on August 6, 2025, delivering a heart-pounding finish that showcased their resilience and clutch hitting in Phoenix. Down 2-1 heading into the ninth, the Padres rallied behind newcomer Ryan O'Hearn and veteran Jose Iglesias to complete a dramatic comeback and secure a critical late-season victory.

Trailing by one run after the Diamondbacks took an early lead on Corbin Carroll’s towering 443-foot home run in the first inning and Alek Thomas’ sacrifice fly in the second, the Padres fought to stay within striking distance. The Padres’ offense stalled for much of the game, but the tide turned late. Xander Bogaerts had already chipped away at Arizona’s lead with a solo homer in the seventh inning, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 and setting the stage for a tense final frame.

The ninth inning began with O'Hearn stepping to the plate with the Padres down to their last outs. Showing poise, O'Hearn launched a towering homer to right-center field off Diamondbacks reliever Kyle Backus, tying the game at 2-2 and electrifying the crowd and Padres’ dugout. It was O’Hearn’s first home run off a left-handed pitcher this season and came at the perfect moment to spark a rally.

With the game tied, Bogaerts stepped up once more, delivering a sharp double and then advancing to third on a well-executed sacrifice bunt. All eyes then turned to Jose Iglesias, who delivered the go-ahead blow by lining a single to right field that brought Bogaerts home, putting the Padres ahead 3-2.

Mason Miller, closing for the Padres, faced pressure in the ninth inning as he allowed a walk but managed to navigate the tense moments flawlessly, striking out three batters to secure his 21st save and keep the Padres’ rally alive.

Padres manager and players praised the resilience and timely hitting displayed by the team. Iglesias remarked modestly after his game-winning hit, “We believed all the way. Everyone knew we had to battle until the last out,” highlighting the team’s collective confidence.

The Padres’ starter, Nestor Cortes, had a shaky outing in his first start since being traded from Milwaukee, giving up two runs on three hits over 4 2/3 innings while hitting two batters and issuing three walks. However, the bullpen and the offense came through in the clutch to turn the game around. Adrian Morejon helped keep the Diamondbacks off the board in relief, allowing just one hit across two scoreless innings.

The Diamondbacks, who had led most of the game, struggled to contain the Padres’ late-game surge. Their inability to close out the game was a growing concern for manager Warren Schaeffer, who acknowledged the Padres’ tenacity and ability to put runs on the board under pressure.

This victory elevated the Padres’ record to 64-51, keeping them within striking distance of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West race. The win also marked an impressive ninth triumph in their last eleven games, underscoring the Padres’ momentum as they push deeper into the season.

In sum, the Padres’ 9th-inning rally was a microcosm of their 2025 campaign characterized by clutch hitting, resilience, and an unyielding team spirit. With timely contributions from O’Hearn, Bogaerts, and Iglesias, and a steady bullpen closing performance, the Padres demonstrated why they remain a formidable contender in a tight NL West division as the playoff push intensifies.