Pivetta sharp, Padres prevail in 3-2 win over Pirates
Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
Petco Park- San Diego, California
The San Diego Padres enjoyed the day off on Thursday.
A rested Padres team welcomed the Pittsburgh Pirates to Petco Park for a three-game series, which started on Friday.
For the second year in a row, the San Diego Padres missed Paul Skenes in the rotation. The ace right-hander has yet to pitch against San Diego in his major league career. The Padres will need to wait until 2026 to get a glimpse of the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year.
Mitch Keller toed the rubber for Pittsburgh in the first game of the series, and Nick Pivetta opposed him for the Padres. Pivetta was sharp early, striking out six of the first eight batters he faced. His curveball was on point, and the right-hander continually reached 95 mph with his velocity.
The Pirates’ right-handed pitcher was hitting his spots, throwing a one-hitter the first time through the Padres’ lineup.
The game was scoreless through the first three innings as both pitchers had excellent stuff early.
The Padres squeaked in a run in the bottom of the 4th inning on a heads-up baserunning move by Manny Machado. Jackson Merrill grounded a ball to short with Machado at second base and two out. Machado side-stepped the ground ball and shaded shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who misread the ball, and it tipped off his glove into left field. The speed of the ball slowed so much that Machado easily rounded third and scored, giving the Padres a 1-0 lead. “That man (Machado) works harder than any man I have ever seen,” Merrill said after the game on the field.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa kicks the ball around off the bat of Jackson Merrill allowing Manny Machado to score!?#ForTheFaithful pic.twitter.com/GgiJp76TfM
— Baseball’s Office (@baseballsoffice) May 31, 2025
Nick Pivetta allowed two runs in the top of the 6th inning, giving the Pirates a 2-1 lead. A pair of two-out hits resulted in a lead for Pittsburgh. Pivetta’s night was done after 81 pitches and six innings. He allowed two earned runs on six hits. The right-handed pitcher struck out eight in the game and won his 6th game of the season. “I thought he was very good. He controlled the strike zone,” manager Mike Shildt said about Pivetta after the game.
San Diego responded immediately as a leadoff walk by Fernando Tatis Jr. set the table in the bottom of the 6th
It’s Luis’ world and we’re just living in it. pic.twitter.com/gmuK93mxfk
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 31, 2025
Luis Arraez doubled down the left field line, scoring Tatis and tying the game at two runs apiece. Machado flew out to right, advancing Arraez to third with one out, and he scored on a groundball by Jackson Merrill. Arraez got a great jump on a grounder and scored just ahead of a tag at the plate to give the Padres a 3-2 lead.
Jeremiah Estrada struck out two in an inning of work, topping out at 100 mph on the radar gun. Jason Adam struggled, allowing two walks with two outs in the 8th inning. Robert Suarez was summoned from the bullpen, and he succeeded by striking out Henry Davis with the bases loaded to end the 8th.
Suarez pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 9th to earn his 18th save of the 2025 season with the 3-2 win. The Padres have now won 10 games in a row against the Pirates.
Up next for the Padres is game two on Saturday.
Dylan Cease (1-3, 4.58 ERA) will face Bailey Falter (3-3, 3.47 ERA).
The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 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.