SAN DIEGO -- Starting pitcher Nick Pivetta dominated once again, allowing one earned run while striking out six in six innings pitched for a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Pivetta (3-1, 1.57 ERA) was in complete control the entire time he was on the mound, changing speeds and eye levels, throwing first-pitch strikes and pitching himself out of jams.
San Diego's offense provided run support immediately after Pivetta gave up his only run in the third. Catcher Elias Diaz worked a walk after falling behind 0-2 and center fielder Tyler Wade followed up with a base hit.
Right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (.348 BA, 1.042 OPS) came through with an RBI infield base hit followed by another RBI base hit from third baseman Manny Machado to give the Friars a 2-1 lead.
Fernando to tie, Manny to take the lead! pic.twitter.com/rFtelDAYRy
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 16, 2025
Machado extended the lead to 3-1 with good two-strike hitting on an RBI double in the seventh inning.
What a mighty good man. pic.twitter.com/pO7EVhmyTU
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 16, 2025
Machado (.324 BA, 913 OPS) has been hot early in the 2025 season and went 2/4 at the plate with two RBIs. Wade went 2/2 with two walks in his second game starting in center fielder Jackson Merrill’s absence.
The Cubs responded in the eighth with a solo shot from center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to cut the lead to 3-2.
The Padres weren’t satisfied with the one-run lead, adding on some insurance after Tatis Jr. drew a walk with the bases loaded to push the lead to 4-2.
Closer Robert Suarez shut the door in the ninth, retiring three straight and recording his eighth save of the season. Suarez has yet to allow a run in nine straight appearances.
The Padres take the rubber match and win the series against the Cubs (12-9) and improve to 15-4 in the young season. They are currently 12-1 at home and lead the NL West with a two-game lead.
San Diego hits the road for a three-game series against the Houston Astros (8-10) starting on Friday at 5:10 p.m.