sports📡 ESPNcricinfoJun 7, 2026👁 0 views

San Diego shows fight, snaps losing streak, forces rubber match

San Diego shows fight, snaps losing streak, forces rubber match

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 06: Freddy Fermin #54 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Petco Park on June 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lincoln ZdunichSun, June 7, 2026 at 4:10 PM UTC·4 min read

After last night’s win over the New York Mets, the San Diego Padres have forced just their second rubber match in the last two weeks. The win came against New York’s young pitcher Nolan McLean, with the Friars tying the game early after Griffin Canning gave up a run in the second inning.

Canning navigated trouble, pitching five innings and allowing just three hits to the Mets. McLean pitched an extra inning but allowed the same amount of hits and runs as Canning.

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Austin Warren came on in relief in the seventh inning and got two easy outs by inducing a lineout from Xander Bogaerts and a flyout from Miguel Andujar. Sung-Mun Song singled on a full-count sweeper outside the zone. He barely beat out the play at first base to keep the inning alive.

Catcher Freddy Fermin came up and took the first pitch he saw, a 94.4 mph sinker, into the left field seats. It was a lead the Padres held onto, despite some trouble in the eighth. Jason Adam gave up back-to-back singles before inducing a double play after Song made an incredible catch at second base.

Mason Miller pitched with a lead in the ninth for the first time in over a week. It was a one-run game with no margin for error and the closer delivered, getting two easy outs before allowing a walk to A.J. Ewing. He struck out Mark Vientos to end the trouble.

Sean Manaea (NYM) v. Randy Vásquez (SD)

Manaea is the likely starting pitcher for today, though the Mets have been using an opener for him lately. They’ve announced that Huascar Brazobán will start the game. The reliever pitched in Saturday’s contest and will likely pitch an inning before Manaea pitches in bulk relief.

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New York’s starter has had a rough season, posting a 5.08 ERA. But, since the Mets have begun using an opener for Manaea, he’s pitched much better. In spite of his frustration about not being able to start pitching in the first inning, the situation has helped out Manaea thus far.

The burgeoning San Diego ace has had a rough go of things lately. Vásquez has been saddled with a 4.42 ERA in his last seven starts. Across the season he owns a 3.31 ERA through 65 and 1.3 innings pitched. His last start against the Philadelphia Phillies was much better, going five innings and allowing just two runs.

The Mets haven’t had an abundance of success against Vásquez in the past. New York’s lineup has gone a combined 4-for-22 against the right-hander with one homer and five RBI.

Batter up!

Fernando Tatis Jr. continued to flash his bat, going 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Friars. Despite Fermin’s homer being the difference maker, it was Song’s production that won the game for San Diego. He went 2-for-2 with a walk and scored two of the Friars’ three runs.

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  1. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF

  2. France has effectively become the starting first baseman with Ramón Laureano now out for the season. That gives the Padres some ability to shake things up in the outfield. France at first base paid off well yesterday, with him making multiple plays in the cold corner that saved the game early.

    Machado went 0-for-4 at the plate but it looked like he had a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the starter McLean. Instead, it was a 315-foot flyout to Juan Soto. Machado was visibly frustrated, slamming his bat against the ground. He’s shown some pop lately but still can’t seem to bat for average.

    San Diego had the benefit of Canning going a solid five innings. He had only thrown 86 pitches through that time, but the Padres favored Adrian Morejon to face the lefty Soto for the third time. Bradgley Rodriguez gave up a run in the seventh to end the tie game, though he was credited with the win after the Friars scored in the bottom frame of the inning.

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    Adam and Miller pitched well, with Adam navigating the trouble he faced. The problem now is that San Diego will have none of their high-leverage relievers available. Their only options are Ron Marinaccio, Yuki Matsui, David Morgan and Wandy Peralta. That said, Matsui boasts a 0.53 ERA this season.