The Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres played the middle game of their three-game series that starts their 2026 campaign. Framber Valdez got the ball for the Tigers while the Padres countered with Michael King.
Detroit Tigers Starting Lineup
RF – Kerry Carpenter
DH – Gleybar Torres
2B – Zach McKinstry
LF – Riley Greene
1B – Spencer Torkelson
3B – Kevin McGonigle
C – Dillon Dingler
CF – Parker Meadows
SS – Javier Baez
LHP – Framber Valdez
San Diego Padres Starting Lineup
RF – Fernando Tatis Jr.
SS – Xander Bogaerts
3B – Manny Machado
CF – Jackson Merrill
DH – Miguel Andujar
LF – Ramon Laureano
1B – Ty France
2B – Jake Cronenworth
C – Luis Campusano
RHP – Michael King
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Tigers vs. Padres
Scoring
The Tigers had a great chance to get on the board in the second as Kevin McGonigle hit a fly ball that looked to be over the fence, but Jackson Merrill robbed him to keep it scoreless. The Padres ended up striking first. In the bottom of the fourth after a leadoff double from Manny Machado, Merill singled him to third, then Miguel Andujar singled Machado home to make it 1-0.
The Tigers tied things up in the top of the sixth, Gleybar Torres led off the inning with a walk. Jahmai Jones hit into a force out but Machado made an error and both Jones and Torres were safe. Riley Greene grounded into a fielder’s choice with Torres being safe at third but Jones out at second. Spencer Torkelson drove home Torres with a single to make it 1-1.
In the bottom half of the sixth, the Padres took the lead back as Jackson Merrill drew a one-out walk. Two batters later Ramon Laureano doubled and Merrill scored to make it 2-1 Padres.
In the top of the eighth the Tigers’ bats came alive. After a Javier Baez strikeout, Kerry Carpenter, Torres, and Colt Keith all drew walks. Greene came up with the bases loaded and singled home Carpenter to tie the game. Rookie Kevin McGonigle continued his hot start to his career following a Torkelson strikeout by singling home Torres and Keith to give the Tigers their first lead of the game 4-2. Dillon Dingler would then single home Greene to make it 5-2.
Detroit
Valdez in his Tigers debut went six innings allowing two runs, one earned on seven hits. He walked one and struck out five. Emmanuel De Jesus was AJ Hinch’s first arm out of the bullpen. He went one inning allowing one hit and striking out two Kyle Finnegan got the eighth walking one and striking out two. Kenley Jansen in his Tigers debut got a save situation and he delivered with three strikeouts. De Jesus got the win.
San Diego
King in his first start of the season went five innings allowing an unearned run on a hit. He walked four and struck out six. Adrian Morejon went two innings allowing a hit and striking out one. Jeremiah Estrada struggled going 0.2 innings allowing four runs on a hit. He walked three and struck out two. Wandy Peralta relieved Estrada but he allowed the inherited runners to score lasting 0.1 innings and gave up two hits. David Morgan got the ninth allowing a hit and a walk. Estrada took the loss.
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Next Up:
These two teams will conclude their series tomorrow night as Jack Flaherty gets the ball for the Tigers while Randy Vasquez gets the ball for the Padres, with first pitch set for 8:40 PM EST.
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