Late offense lifts Padres to series win over Giants
The San Diego Padres take two out of three from the San Francisco Giants with a 5-1 win Wednesday afternoon at Oracle Park.
May 6, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2), San Diego Padres left fielder Jackson Merrill (middle), and San Diego Padres second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. (right) celebrate the San Diego Padres victory over the San Francisco Giantsat Oracle Park. SAN FRANCISCO -- Ty France delivered a clutch two-out, two-run pinch-hit triple in the seventh inning to give San Diego a lead as the Padres secured a series victory with a 5-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon.
To counter first-year manager Tony Vitello’s decision to bring in left-hander Matt Gage with runners on second and third and two outs, Craig Stammen, also in his first year as a Major League manager, turned to France in the game’s biggest moment in a unique way. The veteran first baseman had been taking swings in the batting cages just moments prior to making his way to the batter's box in an 0-1 count due to a pitch clock-violation. Despite the early hole, the move to insert France paid off.
With the count full, France lifted a fly ball down the right field line to Jesus Rodriguez, a 24-year-old rookie catcher who was making his outfield debut. Rodriguez made a diving attempt but the ball kicked off his gloves and allowed Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ramon Laureano to score the go-ahead runs.
“It was a whirlwind, but it all worked out,” France told MLB. com's AJ Cassavell. “You just treat it like another at-bat.