Padres’ slide hits rock bottom in Toronto: Another gut-punch loss caps winless road trip

Toronto, Ontario – No part of a losing streak is enjoyable. But what the Padres endured Thursday afternoon in Toronto was something else entirely—equal parts heartbreak and déjà vu, capped off by a walk-off loss that stretched San Diego’s losing streak to six games and cemented a second consecutive series sweep.

Despite a heroic performance from Gavin Sheets—who launched two home runs and drove in five runs—the Padres couldn’t seal the deal in an 11-inning 7-6 defeat against the Blue Jays. San Diego took the lead twice in extra innings, only to watch it unravel both times, a brutal theme in what has become a nightmare stretch for the Friars.

Sheets got the scoring started in the second inning, mashing a two-run homer to right that briefly gave the Padres a sense of momentum and hope. It was a breakout day for the 28-year-old, easily his most impactful showing in a San Diego uniform.

But that hope evaporated quickly. Starter Stephen Kolek, making just his third career start, was tagged for two runs in the third and two more in the fourth as Toronto surged ahead. To his credit, Kolek stabilized after the early trouble, finishing six full innings with six strikeouts and giving the Padres a shot to claw back.

They did just that—thanks again to Sheets. In the top of the ninth, with San Diego trailing 4-2 and looking down the barrel of another quiet defeat, he crushed a game-tying two-run homer into the right-center seats. For a fleeting moment, the Padres had life.

But just as quickly, the old problems came rushing back.

Luis Arraez delivered an RBI single in the 10th to give San Diego a 5-4 edge. But closer Robert Suarez couldn’t hold it, surrendering a single to Jonatan Clase that tied it once again.

Sheets came through again in the 11th, lacing an RBI single to push the Padres ahead 6-5. Yet the bullpen woes—now a full-blown crisis—resurfaced immediately. Jeremiah Estrada gave up a triple to Daulton Varsho and a walk-off single to Nathan Lukes, handing the Padres their sixth consecutive loss in crushing fashion.

“We’re fighting, but right now it feels like every bounce, every break, every late lead—it’s all slipping away,” manager Mike Shildt said postgame. “It’s tough, but we’ve got to keep battling.”

If Thursday was gut-wrenching, Wednesday was downright embarrassing.

In a 14-0 rout, the Blue Jays poured it on late, scoring 12 runs in the final two innings to bury the Padres. Daulton Varsho hit a grand slam in a seven-run eighth, and Toronto plated runs off nearly every pitcher San Diego sent to the mound. At one point, center fielder Tyler Wade was summoned to pitch, a white flag in a game that spiraled out of control early and never looked competitive.

Kevin Gausman stymied the Padres lineup, striking out nine over seven scoreless innings and allowing just three hits. San Diego had no answers, mustering only fleeting offensive threats.

Luis Arraez doubled and tripled in a losing effort, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise demoralizing evening. Randy Vasquez, making the start, lasted just 4 2/3 innings, and the bullpen collapsed yet again—highlighting a recurring Achilles heel.

Two days. Two losses. Twenty-one runs allowed. A team in disarray.

The Padres now limp into Atlanta to face the Braves, who own one of the league’s most dangerous lineups, for a three-game set starting Friday night. What began as a chance to build momentum on the road has instead turned into a defining crisis point for this roster.

A week ago, the Padres were hovering around .500 and showing signs of life. Now, they’re reeling—desperate for answers, desperate for relief, and, above all, desperate for a win.