Machado and Merrill homer for Padres in 8-6 win over Red Sox

San Diego rallies from 4-run deficit to beat struggling Boston

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:30pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game broken down into overlapping planes of bright colors, capturing the dynamic energy and shifting momentum of the Padres' comeback victory over the Red Sox.Padres' late-inning heroics expose cracks in Red Sox's struggling seasonSan Diego Today

Jackson Merrill hit a go-ahead solo homer in the 8th inning and Manny Machado connected for a 3-run shot as the San Diego Padres rallied from a 4-run deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 8-6 on Sunday. The loss was the 7th in the last 8 games for the struggling Red Sox.

Why it matters

The Padres' comeback win over the slumping Red Sox highlights the team's offensive firepower and resilience, while Boston's struggles continue to raise questions about their ability to bounce back this season.

The details

Merrill had 3 hits, including the decisive 8th inning homer that gave the Padres the lead. Machado's 3-run shot in the 5th inning put San Diego up 6-4 after Boston had scored 4 runs in the 3rd. The Red Sox tied it in the 7th on a 2-run double by Masataka Yoshida before Merrill's late heroics.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Padres scored 3 runs in the 4th inning and Machado hit his homer in the 5th.
  • Merrill hit the go-ahead homer in the 8th inning.

The players

Jackson Merrill

A Padres outfielder who had 3 hits, including the decisive 8th inning homer that gave San Diego the lead.

Manny Machado

The Padres' star third baseman who hit a 3-run homer in the 5th inning to put his team up 6-4.

Xander Bogaerts

The former Red Sox shortstop who had 3 hits for the Padres in the win.

Masataka Yoshida

The Red Sox outfielder who hit a 2-run double in the 7th inning to tie the game at 6-6.

Walker Buehler

The Padres starting pitcher who was pulled in the 3rd inning after Boston scored 4 runs.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to fight and find ways to win, even when we fall behind early. This team has shown a lot of grit and resilience.”

— Manny Machado, Padres Third Baseman

“We're just not getting the job done right now. We need to find a way to turn this around quickly before we fall too far behind in the standings.”

— Masataka Yoshida, Red Sox Outfielder

What’s next

The Padres will look to build on this comeback win when they visit the Pittsburgh Pirates for a 3-game series starting on Tuesday. The struggling Red Sox will host the Milwaukee Brewers for 3 games, hoping to get their season back on track.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Padres' offensive firepower and resilience, as they were able to overcome an early 4-run deficit to beat the slumping Red Sox. Meanwhile, Boston's struggles continue, raising concerns about their ability to turn things around this season.