Padres Even Series With Win Over Red Sox

Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images

April 4, 2026

The San Diego Padres even up the series with a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday inside Fenway Park. Randy Vasquez earned the win, pitching six innings of one-run ball, striking out three hitters. Both bullpens pitched phenomenally in this game, especially Boston’s up until the ninth inning.

Red Sox-Padres Game Summary

Connelly Early allowed two baserunners to start the second inning. A groundout to the shortstop by Bryce Johnson would score Freddy Fermin from third base to put the Padres up 1-0. The Red Sox responded in kind, as a Marcelo Mayer sacrifice fly ball scored Willson Contreras from third.

Fermin lined a double to left field, scoring Miguel Andujar from second base. Early got pulled after four innings, and Ryan Watson took over in the fifth inning. He, Danny Coulombe, and Justin Slaten all went scoreless in their appearances out of the bullpen.

Jeremiah Estrada entered the game in the seventh inning and benefited from the conditions with a couple of fly balls dying due to the wind. The eighth inning came, as Adrian Morejon looked to shut down the Red Sox and set up Mason Miller for the save.

Ceddanne Rafaela and Roman Anthony hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. After Trevor Story struck out, Andruw Monasterio pinch-hit for Jarren Duran. At the end of the nine-pitch at-bat, Monasterio hit a comebacker to Morejon. After a dicey throw to second, Jake Cronenworth failed to catch it initially, before picking it up and failing to turn two. Rafaela crossed home to tie the game 2-2. Morejon then struck out Contreras to end the inning.

Aroldis Chapman came in for the ninth inning. Despite getting his first two batters out, Fernando Tatis ripped a double over the head of Rafaela. Ramon Laureano followed up with an RBI single to left field to go up 3-2.

Mason Miller came into the game looking for his third save on the season. He did so dominantly, striking out the side, as the Padres even the series at one game apiece.

What Went Right for the Red Sox

Rallying Against That Bullpen

The Red Sox did a phenomenal job against one of the top relievers in baseball to tie the game.

What Went Wrong for the Red Sox

Lackluster Early Performance

The Padres were constantly getting runners on base and running Early’s pitch count during all four innings he pitched. Early threw 88 pitches during this start.

Story Struggling

Story recorded his second straight 0-for-4 day and his third game without a hit so far this season.

Looking Ahead

The final game of the series is on Easter Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET. Former Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler returns to Fenway to pitch for the Padres, as Ranger Suarez makes his second start of the year for the Red Sox.