Nick Pivetta continued to be dominant against opposing lineups on April 16. The San Diego Padres concluded their season series against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday with a 4-2 win.

Pivetta went six innings, striking out six while allowing a run on four hits and a walk. Pivetta’s home ERA currently sits at 0.45. This was the first run he allowed at home in three starts.

Pivetta ran into trouble in the third inning. He allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases with nobody out. After a sacrifice fly by Kyle Tucker, Pivetta got Seiya Suzuki to ground into a 5-4-3 double play.

The Padres jumped ahead 2-1 after RBI-singles by Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Manny Machado. Machado added an RBI-double in the seventh to push the Padres’ lead to 3-1.

Wandy Peralta entered the game in the eighth inning, making his ninth appearance this season. He gave up one mistake, a solo home run to Cubs’ center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. The score was 3-2 after the home run.

Tatis drew a nine-pitch walk with the bases loaded in the eighth to add an insurance run. Tatis has 14 RBI and continues his hot start to 2025 with a 1.048 OPS.

Robert Suarez entered the game in the ninth inning and retired the Cubs in order. Suarez now has eight saves in as many opportunities this season. He hasn’t allowed a run in nine appearances so far.

Pivetta earned his third win of the season. He entered the game with a 0.82 WHIP. The four hits and one walk slightly raised the stat to 0.83. Dominant starting pitching by Pivetta and the Padres at Petco Park has been a theme through these first 13 home games.

Randy Vasquez started the night before and allowed just one run in six-plus innings. Pivetta and Vasquez lead the starting rotation with a 1.57 ERA and 1.74 ERA, respectively.

With the win, the Padres improved their home record to 12-1. They are 15-4 overall and continue to have the best record in baseball.

Up next, the Padres will enjoy a day off on Thursday ahead of a three-game series in Houston. San Diego will embark on a six-game road swing with three games against the Astros and three more against the Detroit Tigers.

Kyle Hart will take the mound on Friday. The game is scheduled to begin at 5:10 p.m. PDT at Minute Maid Park.

Mike Ursery

Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.