MLB Game Recap: Tigers Shut Out in First Loss of 2026 Season

The Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres played the final game of their three-game series. Jack Flaherty got the ball for the Tigers while the Padres countered with Randy Vasquez.

Detroit Tigers Starting Lineup

DH – Kerry Carpenter
2B – Gleybar Torres
3B – Colt Keith
LF – Riley Greene
1B – Spencer Torkelson
SS – Kevin McGonigle
CF – Matt Vierling
RF – Zach McKinstry 
C – Jake Rogers

RHP – Jack Flaherty

San Diego Padres Starting Lineup

2B – Jake Cronenworth
RF – Fernando Tatis Jr.
3B – Manny Machado
CF – Jackson Merrill
SS – Xander Bogaerts
1B – Gavin Sheets
LF – Ramon Laureano
DH – Nick Castellanos
C – Freddy Fermin

RHP –  Randy Vasquez

Tigers vs. Padres

Scoring

The Padres got the scoring started in the bottom of the third. After two quick outs, Freddy Fermin and Jake Cronenworth singled, then Fernando Tatis Jr. singled, which brought home Fermin and put Cronenworth at third. Tatis would steal second, then Cronenworth scored on a Gleyber Torres error to make it 2-0. 

The Padres added to their lead after three walks to start the inning, Jackson Merrill hit into a force out, and Cronenworth scored. 

Pitching

Detroit

Flaherty went 4.1 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits. He walked four and struck out two. Brant Hurter was the first arm in to replace Flaherty. Hurter went an inning giving up two hits he did record a strikeout. Connor Seabold finished the sixth and got, seventh, even starting the eighth inning for the Tigers. He allowed a hit and struck out three in 2.1 innings. Will Vest got the last out to end the eighth. 

San Diego

Vasquez went six shutout innings. He allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out eight. Kyle Hart replaced Gasquez and went two shutout innings. He didn’t allow a base runner and struck out three. Mason Miller got the ninth in a save situation. He allowed a walk and struck out two picking up his first save of 2026. 

Player of the Game:

Jake Cronenworth went 1-3 in the game for the Padres. He scored two of their three runs in the victory. 

Next Up:

The Tigers will now head to Arizona, where they’ll start a three-game series against the Diamondbacks on Monday with Justin Verlander getting the ball for Detroit. The Padres will welcome the Giants on Monday to start a three-game series with Walker Buehler on the mound.

• Series Preview: Detroit Tigers at San Diego Padres with Probable Pitchers 03/26-28
• MLB Spring Training Recap: Padres Storm Back Score Six in Eighth to Beat Milwaukee
• MLB Game Recap: McGonigle & Skubal Lead Tigers to Opening Day Victory
• Detroit Tigers Announce Starting Rotation
• MLB Game Recap: Three-Run Eighth Propels the Tigers to Second Win