Full Breakdown
Padres' Early Onslaught Stuns Yankees as Cole Concedes Three Straight Homers
9/7/2026, 4:16:30 AM
Game Overview
On September 6, 2026, the San Diego Padres defeated the New York Yankees 4–3 at Petco Park. Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole allowed three consecutive solo home runs to begin the bottom of the first inning—Fernando Tatis Jr., Jake Cronenworth, and Manny Machado—off his first three batters. Luis Campusano added a fourth solo shot in the seventh. Michael King pitched six shutout innings for San Diego, and Mason Miller recorded his 33rd save. The Yankees rallied for three runs in the eighth but fell short.
Background & Context
The win gave San Diego a two-of-three edge in the series and kept the club half a game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the NL’s final wild-card spot. New York, at 81-62, remained atop the AL wild-card race, two-and-a-half games ahead of Boston and four games behind the Rays with roughly 19 games left.
Data & Statistics
- Gerrit Cole: 7 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 K; record 8-8, 3.41 ERA.
- Michael King: 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K; record 10-9.
- Home runs: Tatis Jr. (20th career leadoff homer), Cronenworth (first opposite-field homer), Machado (26th of the season, 416-ft blast), Campusano (433-ft solo shot).
- Padres generated 11 hard-hit balls off Cole, exit speeds 92.9–109.2 mph.
Official Statements & Responses
Yankees manager Aaron Boone called the start “a tough start for us” and said the team “got some work to do.” He noted Cole’s adjustments after the first inning, saying the pitcher “kept executing.” Padres manager Craig Stammen praised Tatis Jr.’s impact, calling the game “one of the most impactful” for the club and reaffirmed confidence in reaching the playoffs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Obviously, a tough start for us there,” — Aaron Boone
- “They put really good swings on the ball,” — Gerrit Cole
- “I didn’t think we were out of it for a second,” — Spencer Jones
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Most accounts list three consecutive homers in the first inning; one outlet includes Campusano’s later solo shot, bringing the total to four home runs allowed. All agree the three early homers occurred consecutively. Some reports note this was the second time Cole gave up three straight homers to open an inning, referencing a prior occurrence on June 9, 2022 against the Twins.
What’s Next
The Yankees will aim to extend their AL wild-card lead in the upcoming home series, while the Padres look to stay within striking distance of the NL wild-card spot as the season winds down. New York’s rotation will feature Cam Schlittler soon, and San Diego has yet to announce its Monday opener pitcher.
