Xander Bogaerts delivered a three-run home run in the first inning, and Randy Vásquez threw six effective innings as the San Diego Padres defeated the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 on Wednesday night at Petco Park. With the win, the Padres secured a series victory, taking two out of three games and continuing a recent stretch of intense play.
Heading into the contest, the Padres were modest favorites with moneyline odds around -135, while the Angels were listed at approximately +115, reflecting recent trends and San Diego’s advantage at home. The early offensive burst and solid pitching validated those pregame expectations.
Bogaerts opened the scoring with a decisive swing in the bottom of the first. After singles by Luis Arraez and Manny Machado, Bogaerts worked a nine-pitch at-bat before sending a line drive into the left-field bleachers for his third home run of the season and second in five games. The early lead provided all the support needed for Vásquez and the bullpen.
Vásquez, improving to 3-3, continued his strong form in May. He allowed one run on four hits over six innings, striking out five and issuing one walk. It was his third consecutive quality start. The right-hander was supported by three Padres relievers who combined to throw three hitless innings, helping to stabilize a bullpen that had struggled recently, blowing leads in five of the previous six games.
Robert Suarez, who had a rough outing in Monday’s series opener, returned to form with a clean ninth inning to close the win.
Taylor Ward accounted for the Angels’ only run with a solo home run in the second inning. It was his second of the series, following a dramatic ninth-inning grand slam in Monday’s 4-3 win. The Angels have now dropped 13 of their last 18 games, continuing a brutal stretch that has seen their offense fluctuate and their pitching staff overextended.
Angels starter Kyle Hendricks allowed five hits and three runs in six innings of work, settling in after the first-inning damage but taking the loss to fall to 1-5 on the season. He struck out four without issuing a walk, showing improved command after some early-season struggles.
Brandon Lockridge provided insurance for San Diego in the eighth inning with a two-run single that pushed the lead to 5-1. The hit doubled his RBI total for the season in one at-bat, delivering a timely boost after the Angels had kept the game within reach for much of the night.
Matthew Lugo contributed a double for Los Angeles, giving him four extra-base hits in his first 11 major league at-bats, highlighting one of the few bright spots in the Angels’ recent offensive efforts.
Both teams are off on Thursday before beginning the weekend series. The Padres will host the Seattle Mariners with Stephen Kolek taking the mound after throwing his first career shutout. The Angels head to Dodger Stadium to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Jack Kochanowicz scheduled to start the Freeway Series opener.
