Apr 18, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Connor Joe (24) bats during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston, Texas – The San Diego Padres mounted a late charge Friday night at Minute Maid Park, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an early power surge from one of baseball’s brightest new stars.
Houston rookie Cam Smith, fresh off a meteoric rise from last year’s MLB Draft, stole the spotlight in the Astros’ 6-4 win over San Diego. The 21-year-old outfielder — selected in the first round out of Florida State just last summer — crushed two home runs off Padres starter Kyle Hart, including a three-run blast in the second inning and a solo shot in the fourth. The performance marked Smith’s first multi-homer game and continued his stunning debut campaign after forcing his way onto the Opening Day roster with a torrid spring.
“He’s obviously talented, but he’s also just fearless,” Astros manager Joe Espada said postgame. “You don’t see a lot of guys jump from the draft to the bigs and do what he’s doing.”
San Diego, as usual, didn’t go quietly. Down 5-2 in the seventh, the Padres clawed back behind the steady bat of Luis Arraez. After Fernando Tatis Jr. worked a leadoff walk, Arraez pounced on a Bryan King offering and launched a two-run homer into the right-field stands. It was the capstone of another three-hit night for the reigning three-time batting champion, who’s now batting .389 over his last dozen games after a quiet start to the year.
Despite the surge, Houston’s bullpen held firm. The Padres couldn’t muster another baserunner in the final two innings, and former San Diego closer Josh Hader punctuated the win with a 1-2-3 ninth to earn the save — his seventh of the season.
“Obviously it stings a little more when it’s Hader closing it out,” Padres manager Mike Shildt admitted. “But we had our chances. Arraez gave us a shot, and we’ll take that fight into tomorrow.”
The Padres (9–7) will turn to Michael King in Saturday’s game as they look to even the series. King is coming off the best outing of his career — a complete-game gem — and will face off against Astros right-hander Hayden Wesneski.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. PT.
