Fermín's Homer Breaks Padres Skid
San Diego Padres Halt Six-Game Skid, Defeat Mets 3-2 With Fermín's First Homer
Catcher Freddy Fermín hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning Saturday, lifting the San Diego Padres to a 3-2 win over the New York Mets and snapping a painful six-game losing streak. The blast — a 366-foot shot off reliever Austin Warren — was Fermín's first home run of the 2026 season, AP reported.
The win moves San Diego to 32-30, keeping them alive in the tight National League Wild Card race. The Mets fall to 28-35 with yet another bullpen collapse ruining a strong start from rookie Nolan McLean, according to FOX Sports.
Fermín Ends 0-for-30 Drought at Perfect Moment
Freddy Fermín entered Saturday's game in the worst slump of his career. He had gone 0-for-30 since May 14 — the longest hitless streak by a Padres catcher since 2022 — pushing his OPS near .400, according to MLB.com. Trade rumors and calls to promote catching prospects from Triple-A El Paso had been growing louder by the day.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh and the Padres trailing 2-1, Sung-Mun Song reached on an infield single. Fermín then crushed a first-pitch sinker 366 feet into the left-field seats, flipping the score to 3-2. MLB.com called it the "unlikeliest homer of the season."
Mets' Bullpen Wastes Another Strong Rookie Start
Nolan McLean gave the Mets exactly what they needed. The rookie starter held San Diego to just one run over six innings, walking three and striking out five. But McLean left with a no-decision after reliever Austin Warren gave up Fermín's crushing homer in the seventh, Field Level Media reported.
The Mets had briefly taken a 2-1 lead when Marcus Semien hit a 394-foot solo shot off Bradgley Rodriguez in the top of the seventh. That lead lasted less than half an inning. New York media framed the loss as another "wasted gem" from a young starter let down by the bullpen.
Song's Snag and Miller's Strikeouts Seal the Win
San Diego still had to hold on. In the eighth inning, Juan Soto crushed a 108-mph line drive that looked destined to tie the game. Sung-Mun Song made a "defensive wizardry" grab to snag it and start a crucial double play, shutting down the Mets' biggest threat, according to AP.
Closer Mason Miller then took over in the ninth and struck out the side to nail down his 18th save in 18 opportunities. Miller has not blown a save chance all season. Griffin Canning, pitching against his former team for the first time, gave San Diego five innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts, MLB.com noted.
Padres Still Fragile Despite Streak-Snapping Relief
The win buys the Padres a breath of air, but deep questions remain. At 32-30, San Diego had slipped from second to third in the NL West during the six-game skid, drawing sharp criticism of second-year manager Craig Stammen, according to FOX Sports. A seventh straight loss would have likely pushed them out of Wild Card position entirely.
Fermín's home run may quiet the roster noise for now, but his OPS near .400 means the Padres are still expected to shop for a catcher before the July trade deadline, MLB.com reported. One home run in a desperate moment is a great story. Fixing a lineup hole is a harder problem.
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