Red Sox Snap Losing Streak With 5-2 Win Over Padres

Mayer and Contreras homer as Boston ends five-game skid in home opener

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:54am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, geometric shapes and vibrant colors, capturing the energy and action of a baseball game between the Red Sox and Padres.The Red Sox's home opener at Fenway Park featured a dynamic offensive display and a warm welcome for a former star player.San Diego Today

The Boston Red Sox snapped a five-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in their home opener at Fenway Park. Marcelo Mayer and Willson Contreras hit home runs in a three-run sixth inning to lead the Red Sox to the win, while Sonny Gray picked up the victory on the mound.

Why it matters

The Red Sox were struggling to start the season, going 1-5 before Friday's game. This win helps them get back on track and avoid a prolonged slump early in the year. The Padres, meanwhile, were looking to build on their strong start to the season.

The details

Mayer and Contreras both hit home runs in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie and give the Red Sox a lead they would not relinquish. Caleb Durbin also drove in a run with a single in the fourth inning. Sonny Gray earned the win for Boston, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on four hits. The Padres had tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Gavin Sheets and an RBI double by Luis Campusano.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • Durbin's RBI single in the fourth inning ended an 0-for-19 start to the season that dated back to September 2025.

The players

Marcelo Mayer

A young slugger for the Boston Red Sox who hit a home run in the sixth inning to give the team the lead.

Willson Contreras

The Red Sox's offseason acquisition who hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie.

Sonny Gray

The Red Sox starting pitcher who earned the win, pitching six innings and allowing two runs.

Xander Bogaerts

The former Red Sox star who now plays for the Padres, going 0-for-3 in his return to Fenway Park.

Michael King

The Padres starting pitcher who took the loss, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

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What they’re saying

“We really needed this win to get us going in the right direction. The guys came up with some big hits when we needed them.”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

What’s next

The Padres and Red Sox will face off again on Saturday, with Randy Vásquez taking the mound for San Diego and Connelly Early starting for Boston.

The takeaway

This win was an important bounce-back for the Red Sox, who were struggling to start the season. The home runs from Mayer and Contreras provided the offense, while Sonny Gray delivered a solid outing on the mound. The return of former star Xander Bogaerts to Fenway Park also added an interesting subplot to the game.