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Giants Defeat Padres 3-2 in Vitello's First Win as Manager
Harrison Bader's home run off Walker Buehler helps San Francisco earn its first victory of the season.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:22am
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In his MLB managerial debut, Tony Vitello led the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Monday night. Harrison Bader hit a solo home run off Padres starter Walker Buehler, and the Giants added two more runs in the fourth inning on RBI singles by Patrick Bailey and Casey Schmitt. Pitcher Landen Roupp earned the win for San Francisco, allowing just two hits over six innings. The Padres made it close with a two-run homer by Jackson Merrill in the ninth, but Giants reliever Ryan Walker closed out the game for the save.
Why it matters
After being swept by the New York Yankees to open the season, the Giants were desperate for their first win. Vitello, a rookie manager hired from the college ranks, was under pressure to get his team on track. This victory not only gives the Giants their first 'W' but also provides a confidence boost for Vitello as he adjusts to the MLB game.
The details
Bader's third-inning homer was the Giants' first of the season, ending their franchise-record drought to start the year. San Francisco then added two more runs in the fourth on RBI singles, with Schmitt's hit coming against his hometown team. On the mound, Roupp was dominant, striking out seven batters over six scoreless innings. The Padres made it interesting in the ninth when Merrill hit a two-run shot off Walker, but the Giants closer was able to secure the win.
- The Giants and Padres played this game on Monday, March 30, 2026.
- Bader's home run came in the third inning.
- The Giants scored their two insurance runs in the fourth inning.
The players
Harrison Bader
The Giants' outfielder hit the team's first home run of the season, a solo shot off Padres starter Walker Buehler.
Tony Vitello
The rookie manager earned his first MLB win in his debut with the Giants, guiding the team to a 3-2 victory over the Padres.
Landen Roupp
The Giants' starting pitcher threw six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven batters to earn the win.
Walker Buehler
The Padres' new starting pitcher, making his debut with the team, allowed three runs over four innings and took the loss.
Jackson Merrill
The Padres' outfielder hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to make the game close, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Giants' early lead.
What they’re saying
“We must have been pressing a bit at the plate early on, but this win is a great confidence booster for the team. Bader's homer really got us going.”
— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager
“It was a tough debut, but I'll learn from this experience and come back stronger next time out.”
— Walker Buehler, Padres Pitcher
What’s next
The Giants and Padres will face off again on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, with San Francisco's Logan Webb and San Diego's Germán Márquez scheduled to start.
The takeaway
This win provides an early boost for the Giants and their rookie manager Tony Vitello, who will look to build on this momentum as the team tries to rebound from a tough opening series against the Yankees. For the Padres, the loss highlights the need to solidify their starting rotation, with Buehler's debut not going as planned.
