San Diego slugs its way to win in series opener versus Athletics

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 22: Ramón Laureano #5 of the San Diego Padres tosses his bat after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the seventh inning at Petco Park on May 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images The San Diego Padres needed this. After only scoring five runs across their entire series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Friars put up seven runs with three homers against the Athletics.

It was a barrage that felt warranted. The Padres offense looked healthy as ever against the Seattle Mariners last weekend but went cold against their division rivals. It’s nice to see that some slug was rediscovered — especially from the struggling bats of Manny Machado and Ramón Laureano.

Starter Walker Buehler struggled with command, but managed to work around it, pitching five solid innings and surrendering three runs. But two of those came in the first inning and Buehler settled down after that. With the game tied when Buehler exited, San Diego was forced to use their high-leverage relievers.

That could affect the game today if Lucas Giolito doesn’t pitch as well as he did in his debut against Seattle. Taking the mound J. T.