Lucas Giolito and four relievers combined on a five-hitter as the San Diego Padres defeated the Athletics 2-0 on Saturday night at Petco Park, securing their first home series victory in over a month.
Giolito earned the win after throwing five scoreless innings despite issuing five walks. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ty France each drove in a run for San Diego.
Athletics starter J. T.
Ginn took the loss, lasting just 2 1/3 innings and walking six batters, dropping Oakland's record back to .
500 at 26-26.
The Padres bullpen delivered four flawless frames, anchored by former Athletics closer Mason Miller, who struck out two in a perfect ninth inning for his 16th save of the season.
Despite the loss, Oakland rookie Nick Kurtz singled in the first inning off Giolito to extend his active single-season on-base streak to 46 games, matching Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson for the third-longest streak in franchise history.
Padres Manager Praises Grit and Defense
Padres manager Craig Stammen praised Giolito's resilience in escaping early jams. "He just battled," Stammen said.
Stammen also commended first baseman Ty France, who received his 2025 Gold Glove Award earlier in the week and initiated a critical 3-6-3 double play with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
"Huge double play right there," Stammen said.
Stammen highlighted the offense's ability to maximize limited production, referencing timely hitting and home runs in Friday's 7-3 series opener.
"Even when these guys are struggling, they just have the ability for one swing to do some damage," he said.
Reflecting on the tactical progression, Stammen noted how the lineup found its rhythm late against the opposition bullpen.
"We always evaluate every single game and how it goes," he said. "And today was a good game for us."
Stammen also addressed center fielder Jackson Merrill, who returned Saturday after missing Friday's game with a bruised back from colliding with the outfield wall.
"Just sore and bruised," Stammen said. "We've got to see how he feels."
Stammen emphasized Merrill's overall contributions: "Defensively he's been amazing and he's been great on the base paths, too."
On acquiring Miller from Oakland at the 2025 trade deadline, Stammen said, "My reaction has always been when we trade prospects away for established major league players, that it's a good thing for us."
Stammen added that Miller has "definitely lived up to the billing and been everything that we've wanted and needed."
Miller Reflects on Facing Former Team
Miller expressed satisfaction with completing the shutout against his former organization. "It was good -- shutout ball for the boys, so you're always happy with that," he said.
"And a little extra for me."
Miller noted the excitement of competing against former teammates: "It's exciting to compete against a bunch of friends and former teammates, guys that I came up with."
He attributed his success to a simplified approach: "Just getting back to attacking the zone."
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay praised Kurtz's consistency: "The consistency that he's shown. The focus he has when he prepares himself."
Earlier in the week, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called Miller "the best in the game."
Padres outfielder Ramón Laureano described the team's offensive mentality: "It feels like when we're scoring, we cannot get many hits, I guess.
And we just either clutch hits or homers."
The series concludes Sunday with Athletics left-hander Jacob Lopez facing Padres right-hander Michael King.
