Photo courtesy San Diego Padres InstagramEast County News Service
April 3, 2026 (Boston) — A change of scenery has not had much of a positive effect so far on the bats of the San Diego Padres.
The Boston Red Sox, in their 2026 home opener, beat the Padres 5-2 on Friday afternoon. With the loss, the Padres lost their fifth of seven games to start the Major League Baseball season, falling to the National League West basement with a 2-5 record.
While the Padres’ pitching has been good enough to compete, San Diego’s offense, which struggled to come alive at Petco Park during opening week, continues to remain quiet.
Padres starter Michael King allowed seven hits to the Red Sox — including a home run in the sixth inning to Willson Contreras, which snapped a 2-2 tie — and gave up four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings before the Padres’ bullpen took over.
The Padres managed only two runs and just four total hits against Red Sox starter Sonny Gray, who went six innings and struck out three. Three BoSox relievers held the Padres hitless over the final three innings.
Despite putting runners on base, scoring remained elusive against Boston — the Padres were just 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets was the offensive highlight, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Luis Campusano added a run-scoring double and Miguel Andújar tripled. But the heart of the Padres lineup was largeley silent, with Fernando Tatís Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado (who walked once) and Jackson Merrill held hitless.
The depth of the pitching staff is being tested to its limit and San Diego’s pitching rotation is currently missing its two pillars. Yu Darvish is officially out for the entire 2026 season after undergoing an internal brace procedure on his elbow last November. Grossmont High alumnus Joe Musgrove (class of 2011) remains on the Padres Injured List in a lengthy rehab process following Tommy John surgery in 2024; Musgrove missed all of last season in recovery from the operation.
As of mid-day Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers have pulled out in front in the N.L. West with a 5-2 record. Both Arizona and San Francisco are 3-4 currently.
The Padres have two more chances to salvage their trip to Boston before heading to Pittsburgh from April 6 to 8. The Padres will take on Boston at 1:10 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, April 4) and again on Sunday, at 10:35 a.m.
The Padres return to Petco Park on Thursday, April 9 for a homestand loaded with promotions.
It’s Manny’s Hot Corner Bobblehead Night on April 9 against the Colorado Rockies; Lowrider Night on Friday, April 10 against the Rockies features a Bobblehead of Jeremiah Estrada in a Lowrider; Kids Fest & Run The Bases (postgame) against the Rockies on Sunday, April 12; Vietnamese Heritage Celebration Hat Night on Tuesday, April 14 against the Seattle Mariners; Padres Puffer Vest Night on Wednesday, April 15 against the Mariners; and Autism Acceptance Night on Thursday, April 16 against Seattle.