Padres beat Diamondbacks 5-1 to close within a game in NL wild-card race

By: David Brandt, The Associated Press Posted: 11:35 PM CDT Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

PHOENIX (AP) — Jackson Merrill and Ty France both had two hits and an RBI, four relievers combined for five scoreless innings and the San Diego Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Thursday night to improve their position in the National League playoff race.

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The Padres — who have a 12-8 record since the All-Star break — moved a game behind the D-backs for the third and final wild-card spot. The NL West rivals split the four-game series.

San Diego finished with 12 hits, including three singles from Luis Rengifo — two on bunts. Relievers Bradgley Rodriguez (3-2), Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller gave up just two hits over the final five innings, striking out seven.

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. gets ready to hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug 6, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The Padres built an early 3-0 lead, but the D-backs tried to mount a two-out rally in the bottom of the third with four hits in a row. Gabriel Moreno brought home one run with an RBI single before Walker Buehler wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam when Nolan Arenado flew out to center.

Buehler lasted just four innings, giving up one run on six hits and a walk. The righty struck out three.

Arizona rookie Kohl Drake (0-1) also had a short outing, giving up three runs over 3 2/3 innings. Moreno finished with three hits, including a double.

The D-backs have a 16-8 record since July 9, but have dropped three of their last five. They open a three-game series against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

Up next

Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (8-9, 5.04 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home against Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.64).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb