Padres Veteran Márquez Shines, Bats Erupt in 9-6 Win Over Mariners

Germán Márquez's strong outing and a power surge from the Padres' lineup provide optimism amid Joe Musgrove's injury.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 6:53am

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In the wake of the news that Padres ace Joe Musgrove will start the season on the injured list, veteran right-hander Germán Márquez stepped up with an impressive performance, striking out nine batters over five innings and allowing just three runs in the Padres' 9-6 win over the Seattle Mariners. Meanwhile, the Padres' bats came alive, with six different players hitting home runs, including non-roster invitee Jase Bowen, who is making a strong case for a roster spot with his strong spring training showing.

Why it matters

Márquez's outing provides a much-needed boost to the Padres' pitching staff in the wake of Musgrove's injury, while the power display from the lineup suggests the team has the offensive depth to weather any potential absences. Bowen's emergence as a non-roster player also highlights the Padres' ability to uncover hidden gems and build a strong bench, which will be crucial over the long MLB season.

The details

Márquez, a former All-Star who signed a minor league deal with the Padres in February, bounced back from a rough outing earlier in spring training to deliver a strong performance, commanding all of his pitches and keeping the Mariners' hitters off balance. On the offensive side, the Padres got home runs from Gavin Sheets, Xander Bogaerts, Nick Castellanos, Ty France, Jase Bowen, and Rodolfo Durán, showcasing the team's power potential. Bowen, in particular, has been impressive this spring, slashing .289/.333/.667 with four home runs and 11 RBIs, making a strong case for a roster spot.

  • On March 12, Márquez surrendered six earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals.
  • On March 18, Márquez struck out nine batters over five innings, allowing three runs in the Padres' 9-6 win over the Seattle Mariners.

The players

Germán Márquez

A 31-year-old right-handed pitcher who has made 200 starts in his MLB career, pitching to a 4.67 ERA with 1,069 strikeouts. He signed a minor league deal with the Padres in mid-February, hoping to regain his past form as an ace-caliber pitcher.

Jase Bowen

A 25-year-old outfielder who joined the Padres organization on a minor league contract in late 2025 after electing free agency from the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is making a strong case for a roster spot this spring, slashing .289/.333/.667 with four home runs and 11 RBIs.

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What they’re saying

“I was commanding all my pitches. I was pounding the zone. My curveball was good today and slider and I threw a couple of good changeups.”

— Germán Márquez (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The Padres will continue to monitor Márquez's progress and evaluate his chances of making the Opening Day roster, especially with Joe Musgrove's injury. Bowen will also look to continue his strong spring training performance and solidify his case for a roster spot.

The takeaway

Márquez's strong outing and the Padres' power display provide optimism for the team's pitching depth and offensive potential, even with Musgrove's injury. The emergence of Bowen as a non-roster invitee also highlights the Padres' ability to uncover hidden gems and build a strong bench, which will be crucial for their success throughout the long MLB season.