The San Diego Padres wasted no time putting one back into the win column with a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels last night. It was a late-inning win with the Friars waiting to put up their first runs (and the first of the game) until the eighth.
Both starters pitched scoreless outings, with Germán Márquez going 5 2/3 innings while allowing only two hits. The Padres managed to get five men on base against Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi (4 H, 1 BB), but they couldn’t convert any into runs.
Overall, although a good win for the Friars, they seemed to be making it harder on themselves than they needed to. Jason Adam pitched the eighth inning in relief and allowed his first run of 2026. He gave up back-to-back singles before getting two outs. Then he struck out Nolan Schanuel to end the inning… until he didn’t.
Strike three was overturned for ball two and Schanuel singled to score the only Halos run of the game. Adam finally ended the inning by winning a seven-pitch battle against Jo Adell, inducing a groundout to Manny Machado. It was a nail-biter frame given that the Padres only had two runs at the time.
They scored two more in the top of the ninth to add insurance for Mason Miller. It was insurance he wouldn’t need (and hasn’t all season) despite having the first “rocky” outing of 2026. He gave up a hit to Yoán Moncada and a walk to Vaughn Grissom but kept his scoreless streak intact and now is tied for the lead in saves across MLB (7).
That might feel like a lot, but it’s an important backdrop for tonight’s rubber match as the Padres look for their fifth straight series win after dropping the first two of the year.
Taking the mound
Reid Detmers (LAA) v. Michael King (SD)
Detmers has been a solid starter for the Angels. If not for the emergence of José Soriano as an absolute ace, he would be the Halos best starter. He’s pitched to a 3.57 ERA and limited the New York Yankees to one run on four hits in his last start.
He’s done a good job of limiting walks, focusing on commanding his pitches well. The Padres have faced him sparingly, but in what they have seen, they’ve hit him quite well (.363 BA, 31 ABs). If they can wake up their bats tonight after a cold series (four runs scored), it should be an easy win.
That peaceful easy feeling is due mostly to who’s on the mound for San Diego. King’s return to bona-fide ace-dom has been a welcome one for the Friars. He’s authored a 2.78 ERA across 22 2/3 innings this season, limiting opponents to a .205 batting average.
King will look to continue that tonight against a relatively potent Angels lineup. Márquez stifled that lineup last night so King shouldn’t have trouble. But, if he does, the bullpen has enough availability to pick him up.
Batter up!
Freddy Fermin had an encouraging return to the lineup after a brief concussion scare. He went 1-for-2 with two walks and scored two runs. That being said, Luis Campusano will probably get the start in today’s game.
Nick Castellanos will also probably start with the lefty Detmers on the mound. His splits are much better against left-handers than Gavin Sheets. That would have the lineup looking like this:
Andujar had a great day yesterday, going 2-for-3 against the Halos. He’ll probably start against Detmers given his splits are similar to Castellanos against left-handers.
Relief corps
The Padres spent all of their high-leverage options last night, using Adrian Morejon, Adam and Miller to record the final 3 1/3 innings. Morejon was his usual self, dominating the Angels.
Adam struggled somewhat, as did Miller (though calling Miller’s outing a struggle simply for allowing two baserunners for the first time this year is a little silly).
Tonight, the Friars will have Kyle Hart, Ron Marinaccio, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez to turn to following King.
Miller could also come out to close given the off day tomorrow before the Padres’ series opener against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.
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