Front Row Seat: Kolek shines in 1st MLB start
Here's a front row seat to all of the news, stories, videos and podcasts that you need to start your day.
I've got a ton of links for you today! Enjoy.
Section 1904
John Gennaro
San Diego Padres
Padres finish off sweep of Pirates at start of long trip - San Diego Union-Tribune
“I think the thing for us right now is hopefully get back to home with a winning record on the road,” Manny Machado said late Saturday night. “You know, we haven’t really been playing really well on the road. We’ve been playing great at home in front of our fans. It’s a good start to this road trip. I think overall, we want to get back home over .500 or way above .500 a ways and put ourselves in a good spot on the road trip. We’re going to New York next. We’re going to Denver as well. We don’t play well there. So it’s a good road trip that we could do some really good things.”
Kolek dazzles in 1st MLB start as Padres sweep Bucs - MLB.com
The 28-year-old right-hander made the most of his opportunity, firing 5 1/3 scoreless innings in San Diego’s 4-0 victory over the Pirates, finishing off a three-game sweep at PNC Park. He allowed four hits and walked a pair, while striking out four on just 84 pitches.
“It’s a little different [than starting],” said Kolek, who improved to 4-0 as a big leaguer. “But at the same time, to me it felt like my debut all over again. First time getting to do something I haven't done yet. New city, playing against a new team, different job. But I was having a lot of fun with it. Everything went good today, so it’s a great day.”
Padres minors: Luis Patiño returns to mound, Jackson Merrill continues rehab - San Diego Union-Tribune
Luis Patiño finally pitched for the Padres organization again.
The 25-year-old right-hander made his first post-Tommy John start on Sunday, walking three and allowing two unearned runs in one inning in low Single-A Lake Elsinore’s 9-8 walk-off win over Inland Empire.
Patiño struck out a batter, did not allow a hit and pushed his pitch count to 34 (17 strikes) in his long-awaited return to competition for the Padres.
Padres’ Jackson Merrill helps San Antonio Missions win consecutive games while on rehab assignment - KSAT
The 2024 MLB All-Star played his first game of the season with the San Antonio Missions on Saturday, helping the Missions snap a three-game losing streak to the Corpus Christi Hooks.
On Sunday, Merrill’s efforts contributed to a comeback win over the Hooks, tying the week series with Corpus Christi.
Padres Veteran Infielder Elects to Leave Organization - Sports Illustrated
Longtime veteran infielder Yuri Gurriel decided to officially part ways with the San Diego Padres.
With a handful of Padres coming back from the IL — namely Jason Heyward and Luis Arraez, San Diego opted to designate Gurriel for assignment. After clearing waivers, he decided to become a free agent rather than presumably head to the minor leagues.
San Diego FC
San Diego FC's Complete Game - Chromatic FC
San Diego FC delivered an exciting 5-0 victory against FC Dallas on Saturday. The offensive performance, spearheaded by Chucky Lozano and Anders Dreyer, was a key factor in San Diego finally achieving a complete game. The tactical changes implemented in the front line proved to be significant.
San Diego Wave
Armstrong scores late winner Wave defeats Bay 2-1 - FOX Sports
Trinity Armstrong scored a header in the fifth minute of stoppage to hand San Diego Wave a dramatic 2-1 win over California rivals Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League on Sunday.
NBA Playoffs
In Warriors’ Game 7 win, Buddy Hield was the emphatic answer they needed - The Athletic
Sunday’s 103-89 Game 7 victory over Houston, sending the Warriors to a second-round matchup against Minnesota, was sponsored by Hield. He provided the key to the Warriors’ escape from a grueling series. His career performance will go down as one of the most memorable by a role player during this championship era. He earned all $8.8 million of this year’s salary in one game.
He scored 33 points, a career-playoff high. He tied an NBA record with nine 3-pointers in a Game 7. He played his best defense of the series, chasing Fred VanVleet around all game, preventing the Rockets’ white-hot shooter from draining more 3s. And Hield still had the legs to shoot.
Tyrese Haliburton carves through Cavaliers in Game 1 stunner - ESPN
Haliburton scored 22 points, dished out 13 assists and added some key plays on the defensive end, including a steal and three blocks, making him the first player in Pacers history to put up that kind of production in a playoff game, according to ESPN Research.
NHL Playoffs
Winnipeg Jets dodge upset, outlast St. Louis Blues in Game 7 - ESPN
"We obviously didn't get the start that we wanted today," Ehlers said. "They got another one at the end of the second period. But there was belief in this group. Nobody was hanging their heads. We looked at each other and said we're not done playing hockey yet. It was special."
Entering Sunday night, teams with a multigoal lead in the third period of a Game 7 were 119-4. Things were looking good for the Blues – until they weren't.
Odds & Ends
San Diego State loses commitment from quarterback - Sports Illustrated
San Diego State had opened the 2026 high school recruiting class on a hot streak, reaching six commitments as of last month.
With six months until the early signing period, things can and will change when it comes to recruiting. In the case of San Diego State, they’ve now lost two commitments in the past week. Central High two-way standout Brandon Smith first decommitted from San Diego State, with quarterback Derek Garcia joining him a day later.
USD’s long Sunday ends with stunning NCAA Tournament loss - San Diego Union-Tribune
The most successful season in University of San Diego men’s tennis history came to a harsh ending Sunday night, when the No. 6 Toreros (25-4) were upset 4-2 by No. 28 USC in the second-round of the NCAA tournament at USD’s Hogan Tennis Center.
The Trojans (19-8) took the win not long after play resumed following a weather delay of just under 4 1/2 hours.
NOLA Gold fall short at San Diego, 45-36 - Crescent City Sports
In an intense battle marked by big plays and momentum swings, NOLA Gold came up just short against the San Diego Legion, falling 45-36 in a thrilling contest on the West Coast.
Despite the loss, NOLA secured a valuable bonus point by scoring four tries, a testament to the team’s determination throughout the match.
President Donald Trump to announce Washington, D.C., as 2027 NFL Draft host: Source - The Athletic
According to Axios, which first reported the news, the goal would be to hold the draft on the National Mall. Axios also reported Washington owner Josh Harris and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell are expected to be part of the announcement.
Editor's Note: I bet the "stick to sports" crowd won't mind this one bit.
Oceanside to host first-ever Sports Illustrated Women’s Games - FOX 5 San Diego
Sports Illustrated announced in April that domestic and international athletes representing “Team Americas” and “Team World” will participate in a week-long series of team and individual competitions across basketball, gymnastics, tennis, flag football, volleyball and combat sports.
Alright, that's going to do it for today's edition of Front Row Seat. I'll be back tomorrow, and every weekday, to try and make it easier for you to follow the news.
Feedback is welcome (in the comments below, in my inbox or on the Section 1904 Discord server) and feel free to send me any links that you think I missed and I'll try to include them tomorrow.
