Machado homers late for Padres, losing streak snapped in 2-1 win
Credit: Getty Images
Truist Park- Atlanta, Georgia
Coming into Friday’s game, the San Diego Padres had lost six games in a row and were 2-8 in their last ten games.
Nick Pivetta toed the rubber for the Padres and brought in a career 4.61 ERA against the Braves. The game did not start well for Pivetta as Ronald Acuna homered on the first pitch he saw from the pitcher. The 115.5 mph drive was Acuna’s first game back from a major knee injury that sidelined him for almost a whole calendar year.
In the top of the second inning, Gavin Sheets took Chris Sale deep to tie the game at one run apiece. Sheets came to the Padres with a history of not being able to put together quality at-bats against left-handed pitchers. Sheets owns a career of .178 against southpaws, but he is hitting over .260 this season for the Padres in a handful of at-bats.
Gavin Sheets ties things up with a solo shot ? pic.twitter.com/7ogf77HZBS
— MLB (@MLB) May 23, 2025
The game remained tied as both pitchers threw well on Friday.
Pivetta would leave the game after throwing six innings and allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out seven batters. Pivetta lowered his ERA to 2.72 during the season and was flawless except for the leadoff home run by Acuna.
Sale pitched seven strong innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out six men. Sale recently raised his arm angle (9 degrees), and his last handful of starts have been masterful for the Braves, as his ERA has been in the low ones during that span. The velocity on his fastball has ticked up; Sale consistently hit 98 mph with his heater against the Padres.
The game turned into a bullpen match, and San Diego needed a win.
In the top of the 9th, Manny Machado led off the inning with a homer off Braves’ closer Raisel Iglesias. The 109.9 mph drive landed in the second deck, putting the Friars up 2-1. “I just tried to get a pitch I could hit,” Machado said after the game in the TV broadcast.
Manny Machado goes yard to give the @Padres the lead in the 9th! pic.twitter.com/m6bEFrEF8G
— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2025
Robert Suarez was called on for the save in the bottom of the 9th.
Alex Verdugo led off the inning with a base hit up the middle, creating instant drama for San Diego. Eli White, a 30-year-old veteran, pinch-ran for Verdugo, and that turned out to be big for the Padres.
A dribbler off the bat of Sean Murphy would advance the runner to second base with one out. Ozzie Albies would step to the plate and single up the middle. White, the runner, broke towards third on the line drive base hit, but somehow thought Jackson Merrill made the catch. White proceeded to stop as he approached third base and attempted to go back to second base. A throw by Luis Arreaz cut him down at second, much to the home crowd’s dismay. It was a horrendous baserunning play by the Braves that saved the Padres. “I don’t know what happened there,” Manny Machado said after the game.
Eli White thought Jackson Merrill caught the ball and then gets thrown out at 2nd base!?? pic.twitter.com/O8j0ZqS2nx
— Baseball’s Office (@baseballsoffice) May 24, 2025
Michael Harris ground out to end the game as the home crowd booed relentlessly.
Up next for the Padres is game two of the series on Saturday.
Michael King (4-2, 2.59 ERA) will go against Grant Holmes (2-3, 4.01 ERA)
The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.