The Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates played for their second game of this three-game series. Pittsburgh took the first game in a score of 3-2, in 12 innings. This was an extremely disappointing game for the Padres as they had many times to win the game, going 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position, and ultimately losing a very winnable game.

Michael King started the game for San Diego and tried to get the Padres back in the win column. In King’s last appearance vs. the Mets in New York, he went 6 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on four hits. The right hander has went six or more innings in three consecutive starts leading up to Tuesday, which could be needed immensely due to the work that the bullpen went through the night before.

Paul Skenes started for just the second time against the Padres in his career. Skenes faced the team earlier in the season on April 7th, where he shoved for 6 1/3 innings, and surrendered just an earned run on two hits, walking one and striking out six. However for the unanimous 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner, he has been struggling majorly of late, posting an ERA of 5.00 in his last seven starts, with his fastball being down a few ticks.

Pitcher’s dual in San Diego

Both of Tuesday’s starting pitchers tossed absolute gems. Michael King with seven scoreless innings. Paul Skenes with six of his own.

The Padres needed King to give some quality length and he did just that. The 31 year-old allowed no runs and gave up five hits with two walks and striking out seven. King threw 98 pitches, with 68 of them coming for strikes. The bad news is that Skenes was just as dominant.

Michael King tonight vs the Pirates:
7 IP
5 H
0 ER
7 strikeouts

Season ERA down to 3.23
Outdueled Paul Skenes#padres #forthefaithful pic.twitter.com/II2F01dJ63

— Padres Central (@PadresCentral_) August 26, 2026

Skenes tossed six innings of scoreless ball, while allowing three hits, no walks and striking out four. The 6’6″ righty retired nine Padres in a row at one point during the game. Skenes’ outing lasted just 87 pitches, where he’d fill the zone for 55 strikes. This outing on August 25th marks Paul Skenes first scoreless start since May 12th.

Morejón and Miller pitch

Adrián Morejón pitched the eighth inning for the Padres. He was extremely efficiently, throwing just six pitches and logging a 1-2-3 inning, including a strikeout.

Mason Miller would pitch the ninth inning in a tied game, 0-0. With two outs in the inning, Oneil Cruz hammers a 98.2 mph changeup into the right field seats. This home run marks the first home run that Mason Miller has allowed all of 2026. The first homer that Miller has allowed since August 6th of 2025.

CRUZ MISSILE

Oneil Cruz lines a go-ahead home run 111.8 MPH off the bat! pic.twitter.com/AFbom56kHn

— MLB (@MLB) August 26, 2026

Montgomery saves the game

Left handed fireballer Mason Montgomery shut the door on San Diego. Montgomery retired Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado to start off the bottom of the ninth. Ty France reached on a walk to keep the game going and pinch runner Jase Bowen would later steal second to give late life. Jackson Merrill struck out to end the game.

Recap

Gregory Soto, who pitched the eighth inning received the win.

Mason Miller got credited with the loss.

Mason Montgomery locked up his 6th save of 2026.

Pittsburgh betters their record to 65-69 after winning the first two games of this three game series in San Diego.

The Padres dropped their second game in a row, falling to 71-62 on the season.

Wednesday day game

San Diego and Pittsburgh will play the third and final game of this series on Wednesday. Bubba Chandler is the expected starting pitcher for the Bucs and as for San Diego, Randy Vásquez will start. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM PT.

Angel Flores

Angel grew up a San Diego sports fan, following the Padres, SDSU athletics, San Diego FC, as well as the Chargers. He is currently a student at San Diego State University, majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Public relations.