New Padres Owners Witness Dramatic Late Collapse in Mexico City
José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones, the presumptive new owners of the San Diego Padres, saw their team blow a late lead Sunday in Mexico City in a high-stakes matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú. Despite the crushing loss, pitcher Michael King delivered one of his most dominant performances, highlighting the Padres’ ongoing battle with injuries and strategic player management.
The couple arrived just an hour before the first pitch, stepping into the spotlight as the Padres prepare to finalize their acquisition of a nearly 40 percent stake in the franchise, valued at $3.9 billion.
King Shines Amid Challenging Conditions
King dazzled over six innings, striking out eight, walking just one, and giving up only three hits—two of which were solo home runs likely inflated by Mexico City’s thin air. One towering 90.9 mph fly ball soared over the fence at high altitude but likely would have stayed in the park at sea level.
“The altitude is not fun to pitch in. It’s fun to see our hitters hit in it, but I don’t like it. I don’t feel as comfortable on the mound as I normally would,” King said, revealing the challenges posed by the rarefied air.
King’s strong outing is critical with key starters Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove sidelined by injury. He’s lowered his ERA to an impressive 2.48, ranking seventh in the National League, having allowed just five runs over his last 23 innings.
Late Bullpen Collapse Dashes New Ownership Debut
Despite King’s heroics, the Padres bullpen faltered in the late innings, allowing the Diamondbacks to rally and snatch victory away. That collapse left the Padres struggling to secure a win in front of their new owners.
Padres shortstop Manny Machado expressed excitement about the ownership change, saying, “Oh, man. Nice, awesome. I mean, I wish we would have brought them a ‘W.’ This is their team now. So, I love the support. Hopefully we see them more often and see them around San Diego.”
Managing Injuries and Workload
The team’s injury woes continue to shape their strategy. Infielder Miguel Andújar is easing into action with hamstring tightness, holding a promising .311 batting average. Manager Craig Stammen emphasized caution, stating,
“We’re just trying to manage that. The same thing we have talked about with all the guys about managing their workload and things like that.”
Looking Ahead to Petco Park
The Padres now turn their focus to rebounding in their upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs at their home field, Petco Park. Fans and ownership alike will be eager to see the team stabilize and showcase resilience after a painful setback in Mexico City.
This game not only cast a spotlight on the team’s on-field challenges but also on the shifting sands of Padres ownership—an evolving story with major implications for San Diego’s baseball future.
