Behind Yu Darvish, Padres seek to rebound vs. D-backs
Darvish (1-3, 6.46 ERA) will oppose Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (6-3, 3.20) in the second game of a three-game series in Phoenix on Tuesday night.
The D-backs won the series opener 6-2 Monday when Tyler Locklear and Alek Thomas homered and Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove in two runs apiece.
Arizona has won three straight games after losing six in a row.
"There is so much season left," Carroll said. "The things that we do for the rest of this year will carry forward into 2026. To see some things trend the right way in a season where they haven't so far, that's important."
Darvish limited the New York Mets to two singles in seven scoreless innings in a 5-0 victory last Wednesday, when he struck out seven and did not walk a batter while throwing only 76 pitches.
"Looked like the Yu Darvish I've been playing behind the last five years," Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Just awesome."
Darvish has made only five starts this season after being delayed because of right elbow inflammation suffered in spring training, and his return to form would be a welcome turn.
No. 2 starter Michael King (4-2, 2.59 ERA) has not pitched since May 18 because of right shoulder and thoracic nerve injuries, and No. 1 Dylan Cease has been in and out (4-10, 4.60) of form. Joe Musgrove, who underwent Tommy John surgery last October, threw a bullpen session Saturday and hopes to return for the postseason if the Padres advance.
Cease was rumored to be a trade candidate at the July 31 deadline, but the Padres went in other directions. Cease is a free agent after this season, and King holds a mutual option with the Padres for 2026.
Darvish remains a key member of a rotation that was bolstered by the addition of left-handers JP Sears and Nestor Cortes at the deadline.
Darvish, who gave up 17 runs in 16 2/3 innings in his first four starts, said he used a lower arm angle against the Mets after trying it in his bullpen season between starts.
"So I went into the game with a different arm slot than usual, and it worked," Darvish said. "So all in all, I'm happy about that."
Darvish's win against the Mets was his 111th in the major leagues and the 204th in his career, including his time in Nippon Professional Baseball, breaking Hiroki Kuroda's record for the most by a Japanese-born player.
"It means a lot," Darvish said.
Darvish is 9-5 with a 3.67 ERA in 20 career starts against the Diamondbacks, his most appearances against any opponent. He lost to them 6-3 in his 2025 debut on July 7, giving up two runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Nelson appears to have established himself as a long-term member of the D-backs' rotation since stepping in for good for Corbin Burnes in early June. Nelson is 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA in his last nine starts, beginning with a 5-1 victory over San Diego at Chase Field on June 13.
He is 4-3 with a 5.03 ERA in 10 appearances, nine starts, against the Padres, and has won his last two.
--Field Level Media
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