Max Kepler goes yard as Diamondbacks pour it on in win over Padres
Monday was Max Kepler's eighth game with the Diamondbacks after he was activated off the restricted list following an 80-game suspension.
Watch: Who is the Arizona Diamondbacks' biggest threat for the NL Wild Card? | 33 mins
Outfielder Max Kepler hit his first home run in a Diamondbacks uniform and racked up four RBIs in Arizona’s 8-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Monday night.
After bringing in Geraldo Perdomo on an RBI single in the first inning, Kepler took Padres starter Walker Buehler deep with a three-run homer in the third.
Max Kepler socks his first @Dbacks home run 🐍 pic.twitter.com/5EdmuojJW5
— MLB (@MLB) July 7, 2026
Kepler finished the game 2-for-4 with the four RBIs and a strikeout.
Monday was Kepler’s eighth game with the MLB team after he was activated off the restricted list following an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.
Entering Arizona’s four-game series against the Padres, Kepler was slashing .105/.105/.158 with a .263 OPS. He had a run scored and two hits before Monday’s output.
Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo, Nolan Arenado go deep vs. Padres
Joining Kepler in the home-run party on Monday were Perdomo and Arenado.
Perdomo went deep with a solo shot in the fourth for his sixth of the season.
Arenado added one in the sixth for his 10th.
Express shipping 📫 pic.twitter.com/YxpKCyxSDq
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 7, 2026
Brandon Pfaadt strong in San Diego start
While Arizona’s offense was humming, Pfaadt (2-1) had little issues getting through San Diego’s lineup.
The starter went five innings (72 pitches) and gave up just four hits. He struck out six and did not allow a walk on his way to the win.
Ryan Thompson (two innings pitched) and Drey Jameson (two innings) helped complete the shutout win.
The D-backs (45-45) and Padres (44-46) are back in action Tuesday night. First pitch is slated for 6:40 p.m. MST and can be heard on Arizona Sports 98.7.
Related
Diamondbacks catcher James McCann comes off the injured list
Diamondbacks’ Max Kepler playing catch-up, focusing on daily process after missing first half
Diamondbacks president: I’m sure we’ll talk to Gabriel Moreno about his future
Diamondbacks walked off by Pirates, drop 3 straight vs. Wild Card competitors
Diamondbacks deadline: Left-handed bats to watch in trade rumors
Diamondbacks trade deadline: Which starting pitchers could help the injured rotation?
Comments
10 Comments
Pfaadt was never thought to be a one or a two, maybe he's just a three in the rotation. But I wonder when his inconsistencies began and the ERA ballooned, if it was for the same reasons as the other SP's (minus ERodriguez). Maybe some of it can be attributed to the Pitching Coach/Staff approach?
Nice to see the DBs have a good game and it was good to see Kepler have a good night - he's raised his BA to .174.
Listening to the FS1 guys call the game was painful, but since I don't have the D'Backs' channel, at least I got to watch. Nice job by Pfaadt, and now we'll see if the Padres offense can stay so pathetic that it gets Gallen a win.
Not Me