The Padres split a July 3, 2025 doubleheader with the Phillies. Manny Machado's big hit led a Game 1 win before the bats went cold in a Game 2 loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
If you want the full 2025 San Diego Padres experience in a single day, Wednesday's doubleheader in Philadelphia was it. First, a dominant 6-4 victory fueled by a massive inning and clutch pitching. Then, a frustrating 5-1 loss where the bats went silent. The split against the Phillies perfectly captures the team's Jekyll-and-Hyde nature as they fight to maintain their footing in a crowded National League wild-card race.
The Padres have now dropped four of their last six games, clinging to their spot in the wild-card race.
In the afternoon opener, the Padres looked like world-beaters. The entire game turned on a wild, five-run second inning where patience paid off. The Friars drew three consecutive bases-loaded walks off Phillies rookie Mick Abel before Manny Machado blew the game open with a bases-clearing, three-run double. Starter Nick Pivetta was brilliant, moving to 9-2 on the season after tossing seven strong innings of one-run ball. Robert Suarez slammed the door for his 24th save, striking out Kyle Schwarber to cap a decisive team win.
The momentum from Game 1 vanished by the time the nightcap started. The offense that showed so much patience and power earlier in the day was completely neutralized by Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez, who held them to a single run over seven innings. The Padres' only tally came on a Jackson Merrill RBI single. Meanwhile, Dylan Cease struggled with the long ball, surrendering a two-run shot to Max Kepler and a solo homer to Brandon Marsh. Cease took the loss, dropping to 3-8, as the Padres managed just six hits and lost the four-game series.
The team's inconsistency on the mound prompted immediate action from the front office. Following the games, the Padres optioned RHP Matt Waldron to Triple-A El Paso after a recent stretch of struggles. To fortify the bullpen, the team recalled the experienced Ron Marinaccio and, more excitingly, selected the contract of hard-throwing prospect Eduarniel Núñez. The 23-year-old righty brings a power fastball and a high strikeout rate from Triple-A, giving the Padres a fresh and potentially high-impact arm as they search for stability.
The split in Philly is behind them, but the central question remains: which Padres team will show up day after day? The front office has made its move to shore up the pitching, but the offense needs to find the relentless approach from Game 1 and make it the norm. As the wild-card race intensifies, the Friars can't afford to keep trading wins for losses. They need to find that consistent, winning formula, and the clock is ticking.
