SAN DIEGO (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. hit two homers and drove in four runs for the red-hot San Diego Padres, who beat the Minnesota Twins 8-1 Sunday for a three-game sweep in a showdown of teams pushing for wild-card spots.
Luis Rengifo hit a tiebreaking two-run double with the bases loaded in the sixth and Walker Buehler (8-6) pitched six strong innings for the Padres, who continue to hold the National League's third wild-card berth.
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San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler works against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler fields a ground ball hit by Minnesota Twins' Josh Bell in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres' Luis Rengifo, left, celebrates after hitting a two-RBI double against Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. tosses his bat after hitting a two-RBI single against the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego won for the 11th time in 14 games and for the 21st time in 28.
The Twins came into the series tied with Texas for the American League's third wild card but have dropped back into a traffic jam outside the final postseason berth.
Tatis homered off starter Bailey Ober with one out in the third inning and again off Taylor Rogers leading off the eighth. Tatis has 17 homers overall and 12 since the All-Star break.
Tatis, who had four hits, also had a two-run single during a four-run outburst against the Twins' bullpen in the sixth that broke a 1-1 tie. San Diego loaded the bases with one out before Rengifo doubled to right for a 3-1 lead. Tatis followed with a two-run single to center.
Jackson Merrill homered during the two-run seventh, his 21st.
Buehler's only big mistake was allowing Brooks Lee's homer with two outs in the fifth. It clinched the first 20-homer season for Lee, who also homered Saturday night.
Buehler held the Twins to one run and four hits, with four strikeouts and no walks.
Kody Funderbunk (3-2) took the loss.
Obert allowed one run and four hits in five innings.
Twins RHP Zebby Matthews (7-8, 5.12 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday night in Sacramento against A's LHP Jeffrey Springs (3-11, 6.02).
Padres LHP Robbie Ray (11-7, 3.20) is scheduled to start Monday night at home against Pirates RHP Braxton Ashcraft (13-5, 3.68).
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler works against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler fields a ground ball hit by Minnesota Twins' Josh Bell in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres' Luis Rengifo, left, celebrates after hitting a two-RBI double against Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. tosses his bat after hitting a two-RBI single against the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
A big welcome from the fans at the start. A stoppage-time winner at the end.
For Enzo Maresca, it was the "perfect day" as he earned his first victory as Manchester City manager.
City produced a stirring late rally in Maresca's first Premier League game in charge, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to grab a 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Josko Gvardiol placed a finish into the bottom corner in the first minute of added-on time for the winner, which was initially given offside before being awarded following a video review. Marc Guehi had equalized with a 84th-minute header from a corner to start the comeback.
Maresca, the successor to Pep Guardiola, punched the air when Gvardiol’s goal was awarded and went onto the field after the final whistle to hug his players.
A huge banner, reading “Welcome back Enzo,” had been held aloft by City fans as the Italian — Guardiola’s assistant in City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season — emerged from the tunnel before kickoff
Wearing a sharp black suit, Maresca certainly looked the part on the touchline but the slickness synonymous with City’s play under Guardiola down the years wasn’t quite there until the late comeback sparked by substitute Rayan Cherki, who set up both goals.
“It is the perfect day, to be honest,” Maresca said. "I was very pleased when the game started to see the banner on the other side. And I was pleased because we give them the joy of the three points.
“It was quite emotional and the perfect day.”
Maresca began his time as Guardiola's replacement with a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend and has had to deal with the departure of star midfielder Rodri to Barcelona.
City might have found a long-term replacement for Rodri in 18-year-old Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is set to join from Lille for 100 million euros ($117 million) according to French media, but Maresca opted against Bournemouth to deploy Guehi — a center back — as a holding midfielder instead.
It was a contentious decision given there were other midfield options on the bench, and it might prove to be a one-off, but Guehi grew into the role.
City striker Erling Haaland wasn't on the scoresheet in the first league game of the season for the first time since joining the club in 2022. He sported a new hairstyle — a buzz cut that went viral on social media ahead of kickoff — and wasted a couple of great chances to score with it.
Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in the ninth minute of stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw for Liverpool at Newcastle in a match overseen by two new managers.
Before kickoff, the teams united to pay tribute to Kevin Keegan — a star player for both clubs — following his death last month at age 75. Players from Newcastle and Liverpool wore shirts with “Keegan” and the number 7 on the back in the warmup at St. James' Park, while there was a mosaic in the center circle, a tribute video and a huge tifo in the stands dedicated to the former England star.
Szoboszlai smashed an unstoppable spot kick into the top corner after debutant Victor Munoz was fouled in the area in a dramatic finish. There was a 3 1/2-minute wait for a video review of the decision.
“I really hit it good,” the Hungary captain said. “I love the pressure.”
Joe Willock looked to have scored a 57th-minute winner for Newcastle, one minute after coming on as a substitute and two minutes after Cody Gakpo had equalized for Liverpool. Anthony Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the fifth minute.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak was jeered by Newcastle fans when he came off the team coach and then every time he touched the ball, a hangover from his switch of clubs at the start of last season.
Matthias Jaissle was taking charge of Newcastle for first time, while Andoni Iraola is Liverpool's new manager as Arne Slot's replacement.
Brighton scored four goals in the opening 31 minutes and also missed a slew of great chances in a 4-0 hammering of Aston Villa in the other early game.
To make matters worse for Villa, Joao Gomes was sent off for kicking out at Brighton’s Georginio Rutter in the 40th but the visitors somehow didn’t concede any more goals.
It has been a tough offseason for Villa, with key players Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa leaving and speculation surrounding the future of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez at the club.
Brighton was sharper, having been in European qualifying action in midweek.
A Brighton fan died after falling ill as he was leaving the Amex stadium following the win over Villa.
The 72-year-old man became unwell as he was leaving to board a supporters’ club bus.
Brighton said that, despite the best efforts of emergency services and club staff, the medical team could not save him.
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said “we are all shocked and saddened by the loss of one of our supporters.”
Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
A banner featuring English football player and manager Kevin Keegan is displayed during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Liverpool in Newcastle, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
Brighton and Hove Albion's Maxim De Cuyper and Georginio Rutter celebrate their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa, in Brighton and Hove, England, Sunday Aug. 23, 2026. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Manchester City's Erling Haaland warms up prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Bournemouth in Manchester, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester City's head coach Enzo Maresca greets fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Bournemouth in Manchester, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester City fans display a tifo for Manchester City's head coach Enzo Maresca ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Bournemouth in Manchester, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol (24) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Bournemouth in Manchester, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
