Padres Extend Dominance Over Pirates with 3-2 Victory

In a tense moment at Petco Park, San Diego closer Robert Suarez delivered a pivotal called third strike with the bases loaded, sealing a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. This win marks the Padres' 10th straight triumph against the Pirates.

With two outs and the bases full, Suarez entered the game to face Henry Davis. The pitch, which many believed was low and outside, caught the edge of the zone, prompting Davis to toss his bat in frustration. As he removed his wrist guard, his disbelief was palpable; he threw his helmet in exasperation while Andrew McCutchen, representing the tying run, stood halfway up the line, hands on his helmet in surprise.

Plate umpire Edwin Jimenez's decision led to Pirates manager Don Kelly's ejection, adding to the drama of the evening.

This four-out save marked Suarez's 18th of the season, placing him at the top of the major leagues. He struck out three batters during his appearance.

On the mound for San Diego, right-hander Nick Pivetta (6-2) showcased an impressive performance, limiting the Pirates to two runs and six hits while striking out eight without issuing a walk. Pivetta's first win in five starts came after he navigated through five scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the sixth.

In that sixth inning, Tommy Pham and Isiah Kiner-Falefa opened with singles. Pivetta quickly retired Oneil Cruz and McCutchen but then surrendered RBI singles to Bryan Reynolds and Spencer Horwitz, briefly shifting momentum.

The Padres responded swiftly, regaining the lead in the bottom of the sixth against Mitch Keller (1-7). Fernando Tatis Jr. led off with a walk and scored on Luis Arraez's double into left field. Arraez advanced on Manny Machado's fly ball and slid home safely on Jackson Merrill's grounder, showcasing aggressive base running.

Earlier in the game, San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Machado doubled with two outs and scored after Merrill's single deflected off Kiner-Falefa's glove.

Keller's outing saw him allow three runs and three hits over six innings, struggling to contain San Diego's offense.

Tatis's quick jump ahead of Arraez's double exemplified the Padres' aggressive approach on the bases, as he scored standing up.

This winning streak ties for the second-longest against any opponent in Padres history, a feat accomplished four times previously.

Looking ahead, Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter (3-3, 3.47 ERA) is set to face Padres right-hander Dylan Cease (1-3, 4.58 ERA) on Saturday night.