Right-hander Kyle Leahy made his first start of the 2026 season for the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, March 30, but the team's offense was held mostly quiet in a 4-1 loss to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Leahy, who had previously worked out of the bullpen this spring, allowed three runs on five hits over four innings, striking out three and walking one.
The Cardinals' lone run came in the fifth inning when rookie catcher Pedro Pagés hit a solo home run off Padres starter Dylan Cease. The St. Louis offense managed only four other hits and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
San Diego's victory was powered by a two-run home run from Fernando Tatis Jr. in the third inning and a solo shot from Manny Machado in the fifth. The loss drops the Cardinals' early-season record to 1-2, while the Padres improved to 2-1.
