PITTSBURGH -- After taking the series over the weekend against the Red Sox, the San Diego Padres continued their success on Monday with a 5-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
For the first time this season, the Padres did something that they haven't so far, beat a team that's as hot as the Pirates. Additionally, it's also the first time that the club currently sits at an .500 win percentage (5-5) and has recorded 10 or more hits in consecutive games.
The Padres have controlled the Pirates in recent history, winning 12 of the last 13 meetings. Their 12-1 record is the best win rate against the club among all major league teams during this span. They have won the last seven games in Pittsburgh, which is also the longest streak at PNC Park in the Majors.
With their win tonight, the Padres are now tied for the best record against a single opponent with the Orioles and the White Sox.
It just wasn't Pittsburgh's night, who entered tonight with the league's longest winning streak at five games. They were making base running mistakes, unreliable defensively and finished the game going 1-for-10 with RISP and left nine runners on base.
Right-handed pitcher Germán Márquez, earning his first win as a member of the Padres, continued his annual dominance against the Pirates. He pitched five scoreless innings and allowed six hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
"My whole career I've been competing," Márquez said. "And I feel like tonight was a lot competing."
Being known for being shaky at times, Márquez used his veteran experience to get himself out of some jams, including in the fifth inning when he had Oneil Cruz on third base with one out. He managed to force a pop out to Brandon Lowe and fly out to Bryan Reynolds to get himself out of the inning.
"Him being a 10-year vet in the big leagues and having been an ace of a staff (and) being left out there in those moments to get those outs and get his team a win," Padres manager Craig Stammen said. "He's in a little bit different situation with us. A little shorter leash, probably. But, you know, we kind of feel good about him in those situations, because we know he's been there, done that, and he's capable of making good pitches."
"It was like (deep exhale) we have this game," Márquez said. "It's been a while man and it's a good feeling. And we have to keep this rolling."
Márquez now owns a 7-1 record and 1.71 ERA in eight career starts against Pittsburgh.
Despite not having Mason Miller or Jeremiah Estrada tonight, the Padres bullpen had a tremendous outing. Right-hander pitchers Ron Marinaccio and David Morgan each pitched two innings, combined for one hit allowed, two strikeouts and four walks.
While it wasn't an explosive outing for the offense, they were able to jump on Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler (0-1, 3.12).
Assigned designated hitter Nick Castellanos kicked off the scoring to put the Padres ahead 1-0 in the fourth inning with a two-out double on Chandler. Chandler would later leave the game in the next inning after giving up a pair of walks to Jake Cronenworth and Fernando Tatis Jr. and an RBI ground-rule double to outfielder Jackson Merrill.
The Padres added on another run in the inning with an RBI ground out by Manny Machado against reliever Yohan Ramirez.
The following inning, catcher Freddy Fermin started a two-out rally with a double to left and was quickly brought in to score by Cronenworth, who also reached on base with a double.
Outfielder Ramón Laureano stamped the Padres' final run in the eighth inning, connecting on a 94 mph first pitch sinker for a RBI double to make it 5-0.
Out of the team's 11 hits, there were five batters in the brown and gold that posted a double (Castellanos, Merrill, Fermin, Cronenworth and Laureano). The offense also contributed with three two-outs RBIs and finished 3-for-12 with RISP.
Tomorrow's highly contested 3:40 p.m. first pitch will feature both club's ace pitchers. The Padres will have RHP Nick Pivetta (1-1, 6.75 ERA) on the mound making his third start. And for the first time in his career, RHP Paul Skenes (1-1, 9.53 ERA) will take the bump against the Friars.