San Diego Padres’ presumptive new owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones faced a dramatic Sunday in Mexico City as the team suffered a late-game collapse against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú.
Feliciano and Jones, who are set to acquire about 40% ownership of the Padres in a deal valuing the franchise at nearly $3.9 billion, arrived just before the first pitch. They watched the Padres build a promising lead before the bullpen faltered in the final innings, allowing Arizona to rally and claim victory.
Despite the loss, starting pitcher Michael King stood out with a strong performance in the challenging high-altitude conditions. King pitched six innings, striking out eight and walking only one while conceding three hits—two of which were solo home runs likely aided by Mexico City’s thin air.
King admitted the altitude posed pitching challenges. “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,” he said.
Still, King’s resilience shines as he maintains a 2.48 ERA, ranking seventh in the National League. He has allowed just five runs over his last 23 innings, anchored by strong control during a period where Padres’ key starters Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove are sidelined by injuries.
Padres shortstop Manny Machado welcomed the new ownership, saying, “This is their team now. So, I love the support. Hopefully we see them more often and see them around San Diego.” Machado expressed hope they would bring better results next time.
Injuries continue to shape the Padres’ season as infielder Miguel Andújar manages a hamstring issue, prompting cautious workload management by the coaching staff. Manager Craig Stammen emphasized, “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.“
The Padres now prepare to rebound quickly with an upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. The new owners’ arrival signals fresh energy for the franchise amid a challenging stretch marked by injuries and high-altitude tests.
As King’s pitching remains a crucial pillar and the team adjusts to its evolving roster, all eyes will be on how the Padres respond at home and how their new leadership shapes the future in the coming weeks.
