Padres Hold Off Diamondbacks in Nail-Biter: Tatis Jr. Goes Deep

By Oliver Wiener July 13, 2025 22:41

The San Diego Padres edged out the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 in a nail-biting contest at Petco Park on July 10, 2025, thanks in large part to a pair of leadoff home runs from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. The victory, which snapped a brief skid for the Padres, was marked by clutch hitting, strong bullpen performances, and a late-game surge that kept the Padres’ playoff hopes alive in a competitive National League West race.

Tatis Jr. and Machado Ignite the Offense

Fernando Tatis Jr. set the tone early, launching a towering 420-foot solo home run to center field in the bottom of the third inning off Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodríguez. This blast was Tatis’s 16th of the season and only his second off a left-handed pitcher, underscoring his ability to deliver in high-leverage situations regardless of the matchup.

Manny Machado followed suit in the fifth inning, leading off with a 391-foot homer to left field, his 16th homer of the year as well. Machado’s homer put the Padres ahead 3-2 and sparked a pivotal rally. “When you have guys like Tatis and Manny hitting leadoff home runs, it gives the whole lineup a boost,” said Padres manager Mark Kotsay. “They set the tone and gave us the momentum we needed.”

Key Contributions and Clutch Plays

After Machado’s homer, Gavin Sheets singled to chase Rodríguez from the mound, and Xander Bogaerts doubled off reliever Juan Morillo to score Sheets, increasing the Padres’ lead to 4-2. The Diamondbacks fought back in the seventh inning when Geraldo Perdomo doubled to right field, scoring Corbin Carroll and narrowing the gap to 4-3. However, the Padres’ bullpen held firm over the final innings.

Adrián Morejón earned the win (7-3) by pitching 1⅓ scoreless innings in relief, while closer Robert Suarez secured his major league-leading 27th save with a scoreless ninth inning. Suarez’s blazing fastball, which regularly touches triple digits, proved too much for the Diamondbacks’ hitters late in the game.

Pitching Duel and Defensive Highlights

Padres starter Randy Vásquez pitched six solid innings, allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts, demonstrating poise against a scrappy Diamondbacks lineup. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks’ Eduardo Rodríguez struggled with command, surrendering four runs over five innings and walking two batters.

Defensively, the Padres benefited from a spectacular catch by Tatis Jr. in the eighth inning, robbing Jake McCarthy of a potential leadoff home run with a leaping grab at the center-field wall. This play preserved the Padres’ slim lead and energized the home crowd.

Impact on Standings and Outlook

With the win, the Padres improved to 50-43, narrowing the gap in the NL West to 5.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks fell to 46-48, continuing their struggle to climb above .500. Both teams are jockeying for positioning in a tightly contested division.

Padres analyst Trevor Sikkema noted, “This game was a microcosm of the Padres’ season talent and power balanced with moments of vulnerability. But their ability to execute in clutch moments, especially with Tatis and Machado leading the charge, keeps them firmly in the playoff conversation.”

Looking Ahead

The Padres will look to build on this momentum as they continue their homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies, with right-hander Ryan Bergert scheduled to start next. The Diamondbacks head to Los Angeles to face the Angels, hoping to regain their footing.

San Diego’s 4-3 victory over Arizona was a showcase of star power, bullpen resilience, and defensive prowess. Fernando Tatis Jr.’s and Manny Machado’s leadoff homers were the defining moments, providing the Padres with the edge they needed in a tightly contested game. As the season progresses, performances like these will be crucial for San Diego’s push toward postseason contention.