José Iglesias Caps Padres Comeback with Dramatic Walk-Off Win vs. Royals

Veteran shortstop Jose Iglesias turned Petco Park into a party on Sunday afternoon, delivering a pinch-hit, two-run single in the seventh inning and then a walk-off fielder’s-choice grounder in the ninth to cap the San Diego Padres’ 3-2 comeback over the Kansas City Royals on June 22, 2025. The clutch performance was vintage Iglesias—a player renowned for soft hands at shortstop and timely contact at the plate. Manager Mike Shildt sent the 35-year-old up as a late pinch-hitter after left-hander Angel Zerpa walked the bases loaded. Facing right-hander Lucas Erceg, Iglesias shot a clean single to right that erased a 2-0 deficit. Two frames later, with Luis Arraez on third and one out, Iglesias chopped a 92-mph sinker from John Schreiber to Bobby Witt Jr.; the throw home was a hair late, igniting a brown-and-gold celebration. Rookie right-hander Randy Vásquez matched former Padre Seth Lugo for five scoreless innings before Salvador Pérez’s two-run homer briefly silenced the crowd. Vásquez still logged seven strong frames, giving San Diego a chance to rally. Jackson Merrill—fresh off the concussion list—doubled to open the seventh, setting the stage for Iglesias’ first big swing. The defense also shined: Merrill’s ninth-inning relay with Ha-Seong Kim cut down the potential go-ahead run at the plate and preserved the tie. Why Iglesias matters for San Diego • Depth & versatility: Signed to a minor-league deal this spring, the Cuban infielder can handle shortstop, second and third, giving Shildt flexibility as Xander Bogaerts manages nagging wrist issues. • Contact skills: Iglesias rarely strikes out, perfect for late-game situations when the Padres simply need a ball in play—exactly what produced both run-scoring plays Sunday. • Clubhouse leadership: With 13 MLB seasons on his résumé (Tigers, Red Sox, Rockies, Reds, Orioles), Iglesias offers postseason experience to a roster chasing its first NL West crown since 2006. Fan buzz and fantasy impact Search interest in “Jose Iglesias Padres” spiked immediately after the walk-off, and fantasy managers in deeper leagues are scrambling to add the veteran as injuries pile up around the league. His multi-position eligibility and contact-first approach make him a sneaky source of batting-average stability. What’s next The Padres open a three-game set against the Giants on Tuesday, and Iglesias’ role could expand if Manny Machado’s tight quad keeps him in the DH slot. For Iglesias, Sunday’s heroics were a reminder that championship runs are fueled by unexpected contributors—and Google searches everywhere now reflect his name atop MLB’s trending charts.