Padres Defeat Cardinals 3-1; Benches Clear After Manny Machado HBP

Sunday, July 27th, 2025

ST. LOUIS – The San Diego Padres defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 in a tension-filled MLB game on July 26, 2025, played at Busch Stadium at 6:15 PM. Manny Machado delivered two hits and was plunked twice, contributing to a heated ninth-inning benches-clearing incident that highlighted the Padres' victory, effectively ending their four-game losing streak.

The game saw multiple hit-by-pitches, a recurring theme for the Cardinals' Willson Contreras, who was hit for a second consecutive game. This led to Padres star Manny Machado being hit for the first time by Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore in the fifth inning. The tension escalated further when Andre Granillo hit Machado again in the top of the ninth, prompting both benches to clear and resulting in the ejection of Cardinals coach Jon Jay.

Contreras was hit once more in the bottom of the ninth, this time by Padres closer Robert Suarez. Despite the incident, Suarez successfully closed out the game, securing his 30th save in 33 opportunities for the Padres.

The Padres opened the scoring in the second inning when Jake Cronenworth was hit by a pitch from Liberatore. He later scored from first base on a fielding error by center fielder Victor Scott II following a two-out single by Bryce Johnson, giving San Diego a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals responded in their half of the second when Nolan Arenado drew a lengthy 10-pitch walk off Padres starter Randy Vásquez. Arenado then scored from first on a two-out double by Jordan Walker, tying the game at 1-1.

San Diego reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning. Jake Cronenworth led off with a double, advanced on a groundout, and then scored by beating Willson Contreras' throw home on a grounder to first by Bryce Johnson, making it 2-1. Johnson later scored an insurance run in the ninth inning on a Fernando Tatis groundout.

Padres starter Randy Vásquez delivered a solid performance, allowing just one hit and one run, but fell an out shy of qualifying for the win. Vásquez has now made 11 consecutive starts without a decision. Jeremiah Estrada (4-4) earned the victory for San Diego with 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.

For St. Louis, Matthew Liberatore (6-8) took the loss, surrendering two runs — only one of which was earned — on five hits over 4 1/3 innings.

Key Moment

The benches-clearing incident in the ninth inning occurred after Manny Machado vocally complained following being hit by Andre Granillo's pitch, underscoring the simmering tension throughout the game.

Key Stat

A notable five batters were hit by pitches during the course of the game.

Up Next

The San Diego Padres were set to send Right-Handed Pitcher Stephen Kolek (3-5, 4.28 ERA) to the mound for Sunday's game, while the St. Louis Cardinals would counter with Right-Handed Pitcher Michael McGreevy (2-1, 3.49 ERA).

In summary

The San Diego Padres secured a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on July 26, 2025, in an eventful MLB matchup marked by multiple hit-by-pitches and a benches-clearing incident in the ninth inning. Padres third baseman Manny Machado was hit by pitches twice, escalating tensions that saw Cardinals coach Jon Jay ejected. Key offensive contributions came from Jake Cronenworth and Bryce Johnson for San Diego, while Jeremiah Estrada earned the win in relief and Robert Suarez recorded his 30th save. The Cardinals' lone run came off a Jordan Walker double. This win helped the Padres snap a four-game losing streak.

Related Links

• San Diego Padres News & Updates
• San Diego Padres Schedule & Scores
• St. Louis Cardinals News & Updates
• St. Louis Cardinals Schedule & Scores
• MLB News