Aug 10, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) leaves the game during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – Dylan Cease is starting to look like the pitcher the Padres envisioned when they acquired him — and at just the right time.
In his staff-leading 24th start of the season, Cease delivered another gem Sunday afternoon, pitching six-plus innings of two-run ball to lead San Diego to a 6-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at Petco Park. The right-hander allowed only four hits, struck out seven, and pitched into the seventh inning for the first time in six starts.
Cease’s outing followed an equally sharp performance against St. Louis earlier in the week, when he tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out nine. Since the All-Star break, the 29-year-old has posted a 3.12 ERA in five starts, a major turnaround from the 4.88 ERA he carried into the break.
“I have a better feel and a better process now,” Cease said. “I’m really just trying to be aggressive and physically power it, and that’s getting me into rhythm.”
Against Boston, Cease’s arsenal was electric. His fastball reached 99 mph, his slider induced 11 whiffs, and his sinker and knuckle curve kept hitters off balance. He cruised through six scoreless innings before giving way in the seventh after two leadoff baserunners eventually came around to score — the only blemish on his afternoon.
Manager Mike Shildt credited Cease’s improved efficiency and command. “He’s just throwing the ball where he wants to; he’s controlling counts better,” Shildt said. “Those early outs and those controlled counts are important for his efficiency and for us.”
The Padres’ offense gave Cease plenty of breathing room early. Luis Arraez opened the scoring with a two-run double in the third inning, Fernando Tatis Jr. added an RBI single in the fifth, and Xander Bogaerts drove in Manny Machado with a two-out single in the sixth. Jake Cronenworth later drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 5-0.
Boston mounted its biggest threat in the seventh, loading the bases with no outs after plating two runs. But relievers Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon combined to strike out the next three batters, preserving the lead and Cease’s win.
“It seems like Dylan from last year,” Cronenworth said. “It’s not if, it’s when it’s going to happen — and it seems like it’s happening.”
Cease has now won both of his starts since the Trade Deadline, rewarding the Padres’ decision to keep him amid swirling rumors.
San Diego heads north to open a crucial three-game series against the Giants on Monday. If the Padres are going to make a serious push for the postseason, they’ll need Cease to keep pitching like this.
