HOUSTON, TX – April 20, 2025 – The San Diego Padres salvaged the final game of their three-game series against the Houston Astros last night at Daikin Park, securing a tight 3-2 victory. The win prevented a sweep by the Astros, who still took the series 2-1. Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered the decisive blow for the Padres.
Padres starter Dylan Cease pitched five innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while Astros starter Framber Valdez also had a solid outing, giving up two runs on seven hits over six innings.
The Padres jumped out to an early lead. Xander Bogaerts hit into a fielder’s choice in the first inning to score a run, and Gavin Sheets added an RBI single in the third, putting San Diego up 2-0.
The Astros battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. Mauricio Dubón singled to drive in a run, and Yordan Alvarez followed with a sacrifice fly, knotting the score at 2-2.
However, Fernando Tatis Jr. proved to be the difference-maker. In the top of the seventh inning, with the game tied, Tatis Jr. launched a solo home run off Astros reliever Tayler Scott (1-2), his eighth of the season, giving the Padres a 3-2 lead. Tatis Jr. was a thorn in the Astros’ side all night, scoring all three of San Diego’s runs after also hitting a triple earlier in the game.
Padres reliever Alek Jacob (1-0) earned the win for his scoreless relief appearance, and Robert Suarez (9th save) closed out the ninth inning to secure the victory for San Diego.
Despite the loss, the Astros took two out of three games in the series against the Padres. The Astros’ record now stands at 10-11 on the season.
