San Diego Padres Defeat NL East-Leading Atlanta Braves 1-0 in Low-Scoring Clash The San Diego Padres secured a 1-0 victory over the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves on Monday night, with Manny Machado delivering a key home run and Michael King pitching seven strong innings to earn his first win since May 18. The result marked the Braves’ eighth loss in their last 11 games and shifted the National League standings, as the Los Angeles Dodgers overtook Atlanta for the best record in the majors. The Padres, coming off a 4-5 road trip through Baltimore, St. Louis, and Texas, will face the Braves in a three-game series before hosting the Dodgers for three games this weekend. Machado, who entered the game hitting just .179, launched a solo home run into the Padres’ bullpen beyond the center-field fence in the fourth inning against Atlanta starter Grant Holmes (4-4). The blast marked his 14th home run of the season and 43rd RBI, propelling San Diego to a crucial win. Machado also contributed a double leading off the eighth inning, marking his fourth hit of the game. Over his last 13 at-bats, Machado has recorded 10 extra-base hits, showcasing his growing offensive impact. King (5-6) dominated the Braves, holding them to six singles while striking out five and walking none. The right-hander retired the side in order in the second inning after the Braves loaded the bases with two outs, retiring Jorge Mateo to end the threat. King’s performance extended his streak of scoreless innings to 18 2/3, and his win marked a significant milestone after a two-month winless stretch. The victory also helped the Padres regain a half-game lead in the NL West over the Dodgers, though the Dodgers reclaimed the top spot the following night. The Braves’ struggles continued as their starting pitcher, JR Ritchie (1-2, 4.#atlanta_braves #los_angeles_dodgers #manny_machado #san_diego_padres #michael_king
Jackson Merrill Sends Message After Padres Opening Day Decision The San Diego Padres entered the 2026 season with cautious optimism, despite a relatively quiet offseason shaped by financial constraints. The team’s hopes for success in the coming year are largely tied to its offensive lineup, which features several All-Star players, including center fielder Jackson Merrill. At 22 years old, Merrill remains one of the club’s most vital young talents, and his future with the franchise is now firmly secured after signing a nine-year, $135 million contract extension in April 2025. The deal has already proven to be a strong foundation for the Padres, as Merrill has exceeded expectations even during a challenging 2025 season. Despite facing injuries throughout the year, Merrill managed a .264 batting average, .317 on-base percentage, .774 OPS, 16 home runs, and 67 RBIs in 115 games. His performance underscores his value as a cornerstone of the Padres’ offense, and the team views his health as critical to achieving its goals in 2026. The club believes that a fully recovered Merrill will be essential to maximizing its potential, especially as it aims to build on its recent success and compete for a postseason berth. The Padres wrapped up spring training on Tuesday, setting the stage for the start of the 2026 MLB season. Their home opener against the Detroit Tigers will take place on Thursday at Petco Park, marking the beginning of a three-game series. The team’s decision on its Opening Day starter was announced on Monday, with the choice between Michael King and Nick Pivetta ultimately favoring the latter. Pivetta’s selection makes sense given his dominant performance in his first season with the Padres. In 2025, he posted a 2.87 ERA across 31 starts, striking out 190 batters in 181 2/3 innings.#san_diego_padres #nick_pivetta #michael_king #jackson_merrill #petco_park
Nick Pivetta is, of course, the Padres' opening-day starter The San Diego Padres finalized their 2026 opening-day roster on Monday, becoming the final Major League Baseball team to name its starting pitcher. The decision was unsurprising, as Pivetta had been the team’s most reliable and dominant starter throughout the 2025 season. Manager Craig Stammen confirmed the choice, emphasizing Pivetta’s consistency and performance in the previous year. “He was our best pitcher throughout the whole entire last season, was our No. 1 starter when we took on the Cubs in the Wild Card Series,” Stammen said. “He has pitched great in spring training, and he deserves to get the opening-day nod.” Pivetta, a 33-year-old right-hander, will make his debut as an opening-day starter when the Padres face the Detroit Tigers on April 4. The game will feature a matchup against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner. For Pivetta, the opportunity marks a significant milestone in his career. “You just kind of look at the guys that have gotten opening days in the past that I played with, they’re all great pitchers, great human beings,” Pivetta said. “So it’s just an honor to be able to get that. And hopefully I can just start off with a good start. … It’s always fun to have firsts in the big leagues. This is another one. I’m excited for it.” Pivetta’s 2025 season solidified his status as the Padres’ rotation anchor. He led the team in innings pitched (181⅔) and ranked among the league leaders in several key categories. His 2.87 ERA placed him tied for ninth among starting pitchers, while his 0.98 WHIP (walks per inning) ranked fifth. He also finished 13th in strikeout percentage (26.4%) and 18th in innings pitched.#tarik_skubal #san_diego_padres #nick_pivetta #craig_stammen #michael_king
