Image source: AP/David Zalubowski
Things have gone from bad to worse for the San Diego Padres, but manager Craig Stammen isn’t letting panic take over the clubhouse. Following Saturday night’s 3-0 loss to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, Stammen delivered a simple but powerful message: keep believing because better days are ahead. While fans may be checking the standings every five minutes, the Padres are trying to keep their focus on turning the season around.
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Craig Stammen’s Message: “The Best Is Yet to Come”
Despite watching his club drop its eighth straight game, Stammen refused to let frustration define the team’s mindset.
Speaking on 97.3 The Fan after the defeat, the first-year manager emphasized optimism.
“The best is yet to come,” Stammen said. “I truly believe that, and I’ll keep saying it.”
It’s the kind of speech every struggling team hopes will spark a turnaround. After all, baseball seasons are marathons—not sprints. Of course, fans might argue this marathon currently feels like it’s being run uphill… in flip-flops.
The Padres remain 43-45, sitting two games below .500, but their skid has now become the franchise’s longest since a 10-game losing streak back in 2013.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Silences San Diego’s Bats Again
If the Padres were searching for an offensive breakthrough, Yoshinobu Yamamoto made sure it stayed hidden.
The Dodgers ace dominated across seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out a season-high 10 batters. It marked his second victory over San Diego in just eight days.
The Padres’ best opportunity came in the opening inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. and Gavin Sheets reached base, but Yamamoto escaped without damage by ending the threat with a strikeout.
San Diego managed only one more hit against him before Tatis added a late double in the eighth inning.
“We’ve been battling offensively lately,” Stammen admitted. “Today wasn’t one of those days. He really had everything working.”
Sometimes pitchers are simply unhittable—and on Saturday, Yamamoto looked like he had the cheat codes.
Dodgers Make Every Opportunity Count
While the Padres struggled to generate offense, Los Angeles took advantage of the few chances it created.
Andy Pages opened the scoring with an RBI single in the third inning before Freddie Freeman launched his 15th home run of the season in the sixth to double the lead. Freeman later added another RBI single in the eighth to complete the 3-0 victory.
San Diego’s pitching staff kept the game within reach for much of the night. Griffin Canning allowed just one run over four solid innings in relief after Wandy Peralta tossed a scoreless first inning. But with the offense producing almost nothing, even quality pitching wasn’t enough.
Over their last eight games, the Padres have scored three or fewer runs five times while also suffering lopsided defeats, including 15-3 against the Dodgers and 23-2 versus the Chicago Cubs.
Mason Miller Earns Lone All-Star Honor
Amid the frustrating stretch, the Padres did receive one bright spot.
Closer Mason Miller was named the club’s only 2026 MLB All-Star after putting together one of the league’s most dominant seasons.
The flamethrower has converted all 21 of his save opportunities, leads the National League in saves, recorded 66 strikeouts in 34 appearances, and has yet to surrender an extra-base hit this season.
Saturday marked Miller’s first outing since earning the All-Star selection. Although he allowed Freeman’s RBI single, his ERA only rose slightly to an outstanding 1.01.
With stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Xander Bogaerts battling offensive slumps, Miller has been San Diego’s most consistent performer.
Can the Padres Finally Stop the Slide?
The Padres will hand the ball to JP Sears in Sunday’s series finale, hoping to avoid extending their miserable run.
For San Diego, ending the losing streak is only part of the challenge. The offense must rediscover the form that fueled the team’s strong start to the season, while the clubhouse needs to regain confidence before the standings become an even bigger obstacle.
Stammen continues to believe this rough stretch will eventually strengthen his team. Now, the Padres simply need a win to prove that hope can finally turn into momentum.
FAQ:
Why did the Padres lose to the Dodgers on Saturday?
The Padres were shut out 3-0 after Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts. San Diego’s offense managed just four hits all game.
What did Padres manager Craig Stammen say after the loss?
Craig Stammen told his players to stay positive, saying, “The best is yet to come,” while encouraging the team to keep believing despite the eight-game losing streak.
How long is the Padres’ current losing streak?
The Padres have lost eight consecutive games, marking the franchise’s longest losing streak since a 10-game skid in 2013.
Who was the standout player for the Dodgers?
Yoshinobu Yamamoto led the way by allowing only three hits over seven scoreless innings while striking out a season-high 10 batters.
Who scored for the Dodgers in the 3-0 victory?
Andy Pages drove in the first run with an RBI single, while Freddie Freeman added a solo home run and an RBI single to seal the win.
Who is the Padres’ only 2026 MLB All-Star?
Closer Mason Miller is the Padres’ lone All-Star this season after converting all 21 save opportunities and leading the National League in saves.
Why was Mason Miller selected as an All-Star?
Miller has been one of MLB’s top relievers, posting a 1.01 ERA, recording 66 strikeouts, and successfully converting every save chance this season.
What do the Padres need to improve to end their losing streak?
The biggest concern is the offense. The Padres need more production from key hitters like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Xander Bogaerts to support their pitching staff.
Who will start for the Padres in the series finale against the Dodgers?
JP Sears is scheduled to start for San Diego as the Padres look to snap their losing streak in the final game of the series.
Can the Padres still turn their season around?
Yes. Although the team has struggled recently, there is still time left in the season. Ending the losing streak and improving offensive consistency will be critical to getting back into the playoff race.
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