SAN DIEGO (AP) — In a standout performance, Xander Bogaerts blasted a three-run homer in the first inning, propelling the San Diego Padres to a convincing 5-1 victory against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. Randy Vásquez further cemented his place in the rotation with a stellar six-inning outing, where he surrendered only four hits.
Manny Machado continued to shine, extending his hitting streak to 13 games with a duo of hits and two walks. This win marked the Padres’ triumph in two of their three-game set against the Angels, a much-needed boost as they strive to keep pace with the Dodgers in the tightly contested NL West.
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A pivotal play came in the eighth inning when Brandon Lockridge delivered a two-run single, adding to San Diego’s momentum. The Padres have now secured 10 wins in their last 14 contests, showcasing their renewed vigor.
On the other side, the Angels faced another setback despite Taylor Ward’s brief highlight in the form of a home run. The team has struggled, managing only five wins in their last 18 games, highlighting their ongoing difficulties.
Vásquez (3-3) displayed excellent form throughout May, earning his third straight strong start, striking out five while limiting walks to just one. Additionally, the Padres’ bullpen showed improvement, with three relievers blanking the Angels over three hitless innings—an encouraging sign after a rough spell in which they surrendered leads in five of their last six games. Closer Robert Suarez redeemed himself after previous struggles, capping the game with a flawless ninth inning.
Angels pitcher Kyle Hendricks (1-5) managed to stifle the Padres’ lineup after the initial frame, allowing just five hits across six innings of work.
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Ward’s second homer of the series, following a grand slam during the Angels’ win earlier in the week, came in the second inning. Lockridge’s base-loaded single was particularly significant as it equaled his total RBIs from his first 21 games this season.
Key moment: Bogaerts delivered when it mattered most, stepping up to the plate after singles from Luis Arraez and Machado. He capped a strenuous nine-pitch duel with a powerful line drive that soared over the left-field bleachers, marking his second home run in five games and a welcome resurgence after hitting just one in his initial 37 outings.
Key stat: Matthew Lugo’s double in the third inning marked a notable achievement, as it was his fourth extra-base hit in just 11 major league at-bats.
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Looking ahead: Both teams will enjoy a day off on Thursday, with the Padres set to welcome the Mariners on Friday as Stephen Kolek (2-0, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound following an impressive debut shutout. Meanwhile, the Angels are gearing up for their Freeway Series opener against the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine, with Jack Kochanowicz (2-5, 5.23 ERA) slated to start.
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