Four-run first enough for German Marquez, Padres against Diamondbacks

Field Level Media|published: Wed 8th July, 24:27 2026

Jul 7, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) celebrates with center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

Jake Cronenworth blasted a three-run homer Tuesday night and German Marquez got his first win since April 25 as the San Diego Padres stopped the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 in a game in which every run was scored in the first inning.

Marquez (4-2) gave up an unearned run on three hits and three walks in five innings, striking out four. Four relievers handled the final four innings, with Mason Miller coming on in the ninth for his 23rd save in as many chances.

Zac Gallen (3-9) absorbed the loss after yielding six hits and four runs in six innings with three walks and five punchouts. Gallen has allowed 24 runs in his last four starts, all defeats.

Fernando Tatis Jr. led off the bottom of the first with a double to right-center and scored on Jackson Merrill's single to right. Gavin Sheets worked a two-out walk and Cronenworth lined a 1-2 fastball an estimated 384 feet to right for his third homer.

San Diego didn't score after that hit but didn't need to as its pitching, which has come up short in a stretch where it lost nine of 10 before this game, limited Arizona to five hits.

Marquez thrashed his way through a 32-pitch first inning, allowing a leadoff double to Ketel Marte and then losing a 12-pitch duel with Geraldo Perdomo when his grounder to first was booted by Cronenworth.

A walk to Corbin Carroll filled the bases and a one-out free pass to Max Kepler put the Diamondbacks ahead. But Marquez escaped when Nolan Arenado lined into an inning-ending double play.

Marquez cruised through the next four innings, allowing just two hits and a walk with no runner even reaching scoring position. Arizona managed a threat in the sixth when Gabriel Moreno and pinch hitter Lourdes Gurriel Jr. lined one-out singles off reliever Yuki Matsui.

But Jhony Brito, making his first major league appearance since August 2024, induced a 6-4-3 double play ball from Arenado to quash the threat. Brito, Bradgley Rodriguez and Miller didn't permit a baserunner over the final three innings.

--Field Level Media