Tatis’ revenge leads to series win, Padres look to sweep Sunday
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
PNC Park- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Padres avoided what could have been devastating injury news after Fernando Tatis Jr. took a 93 mph sinker to his left forearm on Friday night in Pittsburgh. The platinum-glove right fielder was back in San Diego’s lineup on Saturday afternoon, as the Friars looked to extend their three-game winning streak behind starter Randy Vásquez.
Needing a bounce back start after giving up a combined nine runs in 6.2 innings pitched across his last two starts, Vásquez would strand two runners in the first inning, getting Enmanuel Valdez to ground out, after home plate umpire Mike Estabrook appeared to miss three consecutive strike calls with two outs, resulting in a walk to Pirates catcher Joey Bart.
Vásquez managed to record the first two outs of the second inning, but would give up a broken-bat hit to Alexander Canario and issue a walk to Jared Triolo. The two-out rally enabled Pittsburgh to strike first, as Oneil Cruz scorched a run-scoring single into right-center field at 118.4 mph off the bat.
Brandon Lockridge would collect an outfield assist in the bottom half of the third inning by throwing out Enmanuel Valdez at the plate to prevent a 2-0 deficit.
Brandon Lockridge throws out Enmanuel Valdez at home plate!💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/OyL3EaR8uT
— Baseball’s Office (@baseballsoffice) May 3, 2025
Meanwhile, Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter cruised through the game’s first five innings. Falter entered with great numbers against righty-hitters at home. Holding them to a .125 BAA and .327 OPS while maintaining a 2.16 ERA. San Diego rolled out a righty-heavy lineup, with Luis Arraez as the only exception.
Randy Vásquez’s night would end on a high note. The right-hander would strikeout Alexander Canario on a 0-2 sweeper to escape a bases loaded jam to conclude the fifth inning. Vásquez would surrender six hits, his walk issues still remained. He’d walk five batters, striking out only three on 89 total pitches.
Grit squad activated
As Bailey Falter continued to mow down Padres hitters, it started feeling bleak for the Friars. That was until Manny Machado would launch his third home run of 2025 to tie the game at one apiece in the seventh inning. The blast soared down the left field line at 114.3 mph off the barrel. Not to mention, Machado also started a nifty 5-4-3 double play in the bottom half of the inning to stop a potential Pirates rally, after reliever Alek Jacob walked Andrew McCutchen to start the frame.
Manny Mash 💣 pic.twitter.com/OvawdQkt64
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 3, 2025
It officially became a battle of the bullpens to commence the eighth inning, as the only blemish on Bailey Falter’s line would be the Machado homer. The lefty gave up two hits and a run, while striking out six batters in his outing.
As All-Star reliever and former Padre, David Bednar came into the ballgame in the ninth inning, Fernando Tatis Jr. showed just why he’s so crucially important to this Padres team. Tatis Jr. led off the inning with a double and wreaked havoc on the base paths. He’d steal third base with one out and Manny Machado at the dish. After Machado failed to drive in Tatis Jr. by striking out, Fernando did what Fernando does… create electric moments.
As Bednar spiked a 93 mph splitter to Xander Bogaerts, Tatis Jr. bolted towards the plate and scored with a feet-first slide on the wild pitch. Pittsburgh opted to review the play, but it was clear Tatis Jr.’s foot avoided the tag. The safe call was upheld.
FERNANDO TATIS JR. JUST DID THAT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/0FFJWRtquG
— MLB (@MLB) May 3, 2025
The National League’s reigning reliever of the month, Robert Suarez, would come in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth. He’d record the first out, but would walk Oneil Cruz after struggling to find the strike zone. Falling behind Bryan Reynold 3-0, Suarez would battle back to a full 3-2 count, setting up a rather dramatic ending. Reynolds would line out into a double play after Machado slung the ball to first baseman Luis Arraez to double off Cruz.
Padres end game with a double play
Manny Machado catches Bryan Reynolds line drive, then throws to first to double off Oneil Cruz to end the game, Robert Suarez gets the save and seal the Padres’ 3-1 win over the Pirates
Padres @ Pirates#ForTheFaithful | May 3, 2025 pic.twitter.com/h4VGSdFT5j
— San Diego Strong (@PadresStrong) May 4, 2025
The ninth inning included some feats. As Robert Suarez collected his league-leading 13th save of the season, Fernando Tatis Jr. stole the 100th base of his career.
El Niño al cien 💯 pic.twitter.com/gKmdz5B5gr
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 4, 2025
Skipper Mike Shildt spoke on Tatis Jr.’s impact postgame:
“What a way to be the seventh fastest guy in the history of Major League Baseball to 100 stolen bases and 100 home runs. That’s a pretty nice way of doing that.” Shildt would say. “It takes a team. But he [Tatis Jr.] was on display to help his team. The whole thing was just a clinic.”
As the Padres are on their way to getting Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth back from injury stints, the Padres are fortunate the weight of losing Tatis Jr. will not be lingering over the club. They improve to 21-11 overall and will be looking to sweep the series on Sunday. Stephen Kolek counters Andrew Heaney at 10:35 am PT.
Armando Dueñas is a 25 year-old journalist. He is a native San Diegan who grew up in the South Bay area. A lifelong Padres fan and baseball enthusiast, he resides just about fifteen minutes from Petco Park, where his love of the game began.