Reds Cap 4-3 Win Over Padres Behind Burke Save

A Late Surge Secures Victory

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at Great American Ball Park. The home team, trailing for much of the contest, mounted a late-inning rally to take the lead. The win improved the Reds' record to 66-73, while the Padres dropped to 73-66.

Attendance was 19,376. The game featured two home runs and a tight pitching duel that lasted into the ninth inning.

Scoring Sequence Unfolds

San Diego took an early lead in the first inning when Taylor scored on a sacrifice fly by Machado. The Reds responded immediately in the bottom of the first when Rodríguez scored on a single by Bleday. In the fifth inning, Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Padres hit a solo home run to right field, restoring the lead.

The Reds tied the game again in the bottom of the fifth as Arroyo scored on a single by Rodríguez. The decisive runs came in the eighth inning. José Trevino singled to center, driving in De La Cruz to put Cincinnati ahead 3-2.

Shortly after, Stewart scored on a sacrifice fly by Brito, extending the Reds' lead to 4-2. Tatis Jr. added another solo home run to right field in the ninth, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

Pitching Performance

For the Reds, Nick Lodolo pitched six innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out five batters. Luis Mey followed with one scoreless inning, allowing no hits and one walk. Brock Burke pitched one inning, allowing one hit and one walk, while recording two strikeouts.

He earned the win, improving his record to 6-5. Emilio Pagan closed the game with one inning of relief, allowing one hit and one earned run, and secured his 20th save.

For the Padres, Randy Vasquez started, pitching four and two-thirds innings with five hits, two earned runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. Bradgley Rodriguez pitched one and one-third innings, allowing one hit and two strikeouts. Yuki Matsui pitched one inning, allowing no hits, one walk, and two strikeouts.

Adrian Morejon pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits, two earned runs, two walks, and took the loss, dropping to 9-3. David Morgan finished the game with one-third of an inning, allowing no hits or earned runs.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816760