The Baltimore Orioles secured a much-needed victory at PETCO Park, defeating the San Diego Padres 7–5. Despite the sweltering 100-degree heat, the Orioles displayed determination and resilience, snapping a losing streak to move to a 64-76 record. San Diego, now at 76-64, remains in the hunt in the NL West standings.
Decisive Third Inning
The game shifted dramatically in the third inning when Baltimore’s offense came alive with an impressive six-run outburst. This burst of scoring proved to be the difference-maker as both teams struggled to add to their totals in the later innings. Baltimore’s lineup, highlighted by Jackson Holliday and Colton Cowser, was crucial during this offensive explosion.
Orioles’ Holliday went 2-for-4 with a home run, and Cowser drove in three runs with his single hit of the game. Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo also contributed to Baltimore’s offensive success, each recording a hit and an RBI. The Orioles demonstrated patience at the plate, earning eight hits and drawing eight walks.
San Diego’s Late Surge
While the Orioles had a commanding lead early on, the Padres mounted a comeback attempt in the sixth inning. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado hit solo home runs, highlighting the Padres’ four-run sixth inning. Jake Cronenworth and Tatis Jr. also chipped in with RBIs, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Machado added another RBI in the game, showing his usual power at the plate. The Padres managed to scatter ten hits throughout the contest, but their efforts came up short against a resilient Orioles pitching staff. The Padres’ missed opportunities were underscored by timely outs recorded by Baltimore’s bullpen.
Pitching Performances
Baltimore’s Cade Povich (3-7, 5.16 ERA) pitched five innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits, earning the win. He was supported by the Orioles’ bullpen, which held firm against San Diego’s late-game rally. Keegan Akin, Seth Dubin, and Yennier Cano combined for four innings of relief, surrendering just one run.
San Diego’s Nestor Cortes (2-4, 6.29 ERA) suffered the loss, enduring a tough outing with six earned runs on seven hits across 2.33 innings. The Padres’ bullpen, including Shawn Reynolds and Kyle Hart, provided some stability, allowing only one additional run after Cortes’ exit.
Key Stats and Standings
Baltimore’s victory saw them improve to 64-76, leaving them 17 games behind in the AL East. The Orioles demonstrated their ability to capitalize on opponent miscues, despite being fifth in their division. Looking ahead, they will host the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
San Diego, meanwhile, maintains a 76-64 record, currently sitting second in the competitive NL West, just two games back. The Padres, known for their strong pitching, will need to recalibrate quickly as they prepare to face the Colorado Rockies in their upcoming series.
The game unfolded under challenging weather conditions, with clear skies but intense heat. The 5 mph wind blowing out to right field provided slight assistance to hitters, contributing to the five combined home runs in the game. The attending crowd of 35,019 witnessed an intense battle on this sweltering evening.
Both teams showcased their batting depth, with the Orioles registering four home runs and the Padres answering with two. Baltimore displayed greater efficiency with runners in scoring position, while the Padres left too many opportunities unfulfilled. This game offered a preview of the talent and potential both squads will carry into the final stretch of the season.
