Padres have their moments in first All-Star Game decided by ‘swing-off’

San Diego Padres

ATLANTA — Manny Machado made history. Jason Adam followed history.

Fernando Tatis Jr. scored a run.



Adrian Morejón and Robert Suarez were charged with two runs apiece.

The Padres made a mark on Tuesday’s MLB All-Star game, which ended with the National League winning after the first-ever home run “swing-off.”

The NL trio of El Cajon native Kyle Stowers, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso hit more home runs (4) than the American League team of Brent Rooker, Randy Arozarena and Jonathan Aranda (3).

“They’re figuring out the right way to do it,” Tatis said of the swing-off. “That was a fun ending.”

The game itself concluded in a 6-6 tie when the American League came back from six runs down with four runs in the seventh inning (two of them off Morejón) and two runs in the ninth (off Suarez).

The NL scored twice in the first inning against Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young winner and the favorite to win the award again this season, on a two-run double by Arizona’s Ketel Marte. A three-run homer by  Alonso in the sixth inning increased the lead to 5-0, and the Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll hit a solo home run to make it 6-0.

The AL scored four times in the seventh inning, the first two of which were charged to Morejón. The left-hander began the inning by giving up a single to the Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk, a Tijuana native, and walking the Rays’ Jonathan Aranda.

The Padres' Adrian Morejon speaks to Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman before the seventh inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Padres’ Adrian Morejon speaks to Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman before the seventh inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Morejón was replaced by the Giants’ Randy Rodriguez, who surrendered a three-run homer to Rooker, who was a Padre for two games in 2022.

Suarez, in his second All-Star game, began the ninth inning with an out before surrendering a double to the Twins’ Byron Buxton and an RBI single by Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals.

The Mets’ Edwin Diaz relieved Suarez and got an out before Steven Kwan’s infield single dribbled to the left side drove in Witt.

Morejón was upbeat after his first All-Star appearance.

“It was a fun experience,” Morejón said. “Even though I didn’t get the result that I would have liked, it was really more about just the experience in itself. And I had a lot of fun. To be able to come here and share this experience with all the superstars in this clubhouse and get to hang out with everyone and meet everyone, I just really enjoyed it.”

Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres looks on against the American League of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres looks on against the American League of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Machado, who was playing in his seventh All-Star game and third with the Padres. It is not a matter of been there, done that.

“It’s special,” Machado said. “It’s a unique experience. You never want to take them for granted, as many as you come to or whether it’s your first.”

And not that his place in Padres lore is dependent on anything to do with the All-Star game, but Machado on Tuesday entered another new level in the franchise’s record books when he started at third base for a second time in his seven seasons with the Padres.

Machado is one of 12 position players from the Padres to start an All-Star game and on Tuesday became the fourth to make multiple starts. The other positions players to have started more than once representing the Padres were Tony Gwynn (10), Benito Santiago (three) and Steve Garvey (two).

“It’s about what the fans did,” said Machado, who was a reserve in 2021 and started in ‘22. “They went above and beyond to get me voted for this. That makes it special.”

Machado struck out in both of his at-bats.

In his first at-bat, he was the victim of the first ABS system challenge in All-Star history.

After an 0-2 changeup that sailed over the plate at Machado’s knees was called a ball, both pitcher Tarik Skubal and catcher Cal Raleigh tapped the top of his helmet to challenge the call.

When the graphic played on the scoreboard showed the pitch had been a strike, Machado turned to Raleigh and shrugged with his arms out before smiling as they slapped hands.

“I should have swung at the pitch, actually,” Machado said. “I knew it was a strike instantly. And Raleigh, man, he got  perfect score (in single).”

Raleigh was actually 10-for-11 in ABS challenges when the system was tested in spring training. That is still well above the MLB average 56% success rate for catchers.

It is possible the ABS system will be instituted in the 2026 season. Machado is not a fan.

“I mean, it’s …” he said and never finished the sentence.

Later, he said, “I don’t like taking the human element out of the game. I know they make a lot of mistakes. But it’s human error. … I wouldn’t like it. I’m old school.”

San Diego Padres piitcher Jason Adam works during second inning at the MLB baseball All-Star game between the American League and National League, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
San Diego Padres piitcher Jason Adam works during second inning at the MLB baseball All-Star game between the American League and National League, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

It was a relatively old-timer that led to Adam’s part in Tuesday’s game.

The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, already a 10-time All-Star before this season and a special “legend” pick by the commissioner this year, got the first two outs of the second inning before Dodgers manager Dave Roberts came out to get him so he could walk off the mound to a standing ovation.

That is when the first of the Padres’ three relievers entered the game.

In his first All-Star appearance, Adam proceeded to strike out the Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn.

“I told Clayton after, I said, ‘Man that was one of the coolest experiences of my career,’” Adam recalled. “I’m thankful he didn’t leave anybody on base for me. You don’t want the weight of a Hall of Famer’s runs on base in the All-Star game.”

Tatis entered the game in the top of the fourth inning in place of starter Ronald Acuña Jr. Tatis started at shortstop for the NL in 2021 and was voted the starter in right field last season but withdrew due to the stress reaction in his right fibula.

Tatis was on third base when Alonso sent his first All-Star game homer over the wall in right field. Tatis had reached on a walk and stole second base.

“It was fun being able to contribute in the All-Star game,” said Tatis, who was 0-for-2 in his first All-Star game. “I’m just happy we played a good game.”

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