Pleasanton

PleasantonCA.city · Tri-Valley news with hometown heart.

Back to Sport

Cronenworth's Homer Powers Padres Past Diamondbacks 4-1

Chris Cronenworth hit a three-run home run as San Diego defeated Arizona 4-1 at Petco Park on Wednesday.

Knox Esparza

July 8, 20262 min read

Baseball Victory - illustration, Jake Team LLC
Baseball Victory - illustration, Jake Team LLC
MLBFinal
Arizona Diamondbacks1
San Diego Padres4

July 8, 2026

Cronenworth Drives In Runs

Chris Cronenworth provided the offensive spark for the San Diego Padres with a decisive three-run home run that helped secure a 4-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday at Petco Park. The blast came in the first inning and proved to be the difference-maker in a contest where San Diego’s offense was otherwise quiet after the initial frame.

The Padres, playing as the home team, took the lead early when Tatis Jr. scored on a single by Merrill, making it 1-1. Shortly after, Cronenworth connected with a 384-foot shot to right field, driving in Merrill and Sheets to give San Diego a 4-1 advantage that would hold for the remainder of the game.

Pitching Duels in Early Frames

German Marquez started for San Diego and delivered a solid performance, earning the win with five innings of work. He allowed three hits and walked three batters while striking out four, keeping the Diamondbacks scoreless during his time on the mound. His outing was crucial in setting the tone for the Padres' bullpen, which would shut down Arizona for the final four innings.

On the other side, Zac Gallen took the loss for Arizona. He pitched six innings, giving up six hits and four earned runs, including the three-run homer. Gallen also walked three batters and struck out five before being pulled from the game. His exit left the Diamondbacks with no further scoring opportunities.

Bullpen Holds Lead

The San Diego bullpen closed out the game effectively. Yuki Matsui pitched 0.1 innings, allowing two hits but no runs. Jhony Brito followed with 1.2 scoreless innings, and Bradgley Rodriguez added another perfect frame. Mason Miller closed the game with one scoreless inning, earning his 23rd save of the season.

For Arizona, Kevin Ginkel and Jonathan Loaisiga each pitched one scoreless inning to preserve the deficit. Ginkel faced no batters who reached base, and Loaisiga also allowed no hits or walks.

Final Score and Records

The final score of 4-1 reflected the Padres' ability to capitalize on their only scoring chance. The attendance at Petco Park was 40,223. With the win, San Diego improved to 45-46, while Arizona fell to 45-46. The two teams remain tied in the standings, though no playoff implications or series outcomes were determined by this result.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816065

Share

Knox Esparza

Knox Esparza covers Pleasanton high school and area college sports.

Related Stories

Sport

Osuna's Three-Run Blast Powers Rangers Past Angels

Nathaniel Lowe and the Texas Rangers overcame an early deficit with a decisive eighth inning, highlighted by Osuna's three-run homer, to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 8-3 at Globe Life Field.

Knox EsparzaJuly 8, 20262 min read

More in Weather