Former San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka went 3-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, scored a run and drove in five runs for the Texas Rangers. Meanwhile, two San Diego catchers combined to go 0-for-2 with a walk as the Padres fell to the Rangers 7-4 at Petco Park, Saturday.

Padres fans have been told throughout the season that Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado were on the roster for their defense and the way they manage the San Diego pitching staff. Their offense has been subpar during that time, but again, Padres Manager Mike Shildt has said their value comes behind the plate. That being said, it should not be a shock to Diaz or Maldonado that the Padres are rumored to be looking to upgrade the position in the coming weeks.

Higashioka made the need for such a change even more evident with his performance, Saturday. He gave Texas the lead in the top of the third with a two-run home run to left to put the Rangers up, 3-2.

Higashioka added an RBI-single in the top of the fourth to give Texas a 5-2 lead. He put another run in the board in the top of the sixth inning with his fourth RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly ball to right field to give the Rangers a 6-2 lead. Higashioka’s final at-bat of the night saw him hit an RBI-single to push Texas to a 7-4 lead. He did all this and added a stolen base en route to the win.

FIRST TIME EVER…

Kyle Higashioka is the first player in Ranger history to collect 5+ RBI with 1+ SB in a game as a catcher.

— Jared Sandler (@JaredSandler) July 6, 2025

Jake Cronenworth picked up where he left off Friday after the game-winning hit. In his first plate appearance Saturday, he ripped a two-run home run to right field that gave the Padres a short lived 2-1 lead.

San Diego scored two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, trailing 6-2. The Padres loaded the bases on two walks and a single to start the inning. Jackson Merrill came up with no outs and hit a sacrifice fly to right field to make the score, 6-3. Trenton Brooks was able to tag and advance from second to third on the play and Fernando Tatis Jr. remained at first. With runners on the corners and one out, Manny Machado hit another sacrifice fly, this time to center field to make the score, 6-4.

The Padres gave themselves a chance to tie or possibly win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two on and two out, Luis Arraez singled to load the bases. Xander Bogaerts came up and hit a soft ground ball toward third base and Rangers third baseman Josh Smith fielded the ball and stepped on the bag to force out Merrill and end the game.

San Diego plays Texas to determine who winds the three-game series, Sunday at 6:10 p.m.