May 14, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) points out to the outfield after scoring during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – A first-inning jolt from Xander Bogaerts and a sharp outing by Randy Vásquez gave the Padres all they needed Wednesday night, as San Diego topped the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 at Petco Park to take the series and keep momentum rolling in the NL West race.
With two on and two out in the bottom of the first, Bogaerts capped a nine-pitch at-bat with a 393-foot shot into the left field bleachers, bringing home Manny Machado and Luis Arraez to stake the Padres to a 3-0 lead. It was his third homer of the season, but his second in five games — a promising sign for the veteran infielder, who had only one home run through his first 37 contests.
Vásquez followed up the fireworks, continuing his solid May with six efficient innings, allowing only one earned run on four hits while striking out five. The right-hander improved to 3-3 on the season, earning his third consecutive quality start.
After Taylor Ward’s solo shot in the second — his second homer of the series following a dramatic grand slam in Monday’s Angels win — the Padres’ bullpen slammed the door. Three relievers combined for three hitless innings, a welcome return to form after a string of blown leads. Closer Robert Suarez, tagged with a loss Monday, bounced back with a clean ninth.
Brandon Lockridge provided insurance in the eighth, lacing a bases-loaded single to drive in two and make it 5-1. The rookie matched his RBI total from his first 21 games in one swing, continuing a quiet but encouraging start to his big league career.
Machado extended his hitting streak to 13 games with two hits and two walks, reaching base four times and setting the table for Bogaerts in the opening frame. Luis Arraez also chipped in with a single and a run, as San Diego’s offense continues to find timely contributions up and down the lineup.
The Padres have won 10 of their last 14 games and remain firmly in the chase with the division-leading Dodgers. They’ll enjoy a day off Thursday before welcoming the Seattle Mariners for a three-game weekend series at Petco Park. It’s the first matchup of the season between the two clubs and kicks off the Veder Cup — the annual series trophy awarded to the winner of the Mariners-Padres regular season matchups.
With Bogaerts heating up and Vásquez settling in, the Padres are clicking on both sides of the ball — just in time for a key interleague showdown.
