The San Diego Padres continued their winning streak against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, edging out a 3-2 victory in a closely contested game. This win marks the Padres’ tenth consecutive triumph over the Pirates since August 2024, highlighting their consistent superiority in this matchup. San Diego aims to maintain this momentum as right-hander Dylan Cease takes the mound in Saturday night’s second game of the weekend series.
Key Moments Define a Tight Game with Wily Base Running
Despite registering only three hits, the Padres capitalized on aggressive and precise base running to produce two crucial scoring rallies. In the fourth inning, Manny Machado extended a single into a double before hustling home from second base on a single by Jackson Merrill that slipped past Pirates shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa into left-center field. Later in the sixth inning, Fernando Tatis Jr. earned a walk and was already advancing when Luis Arraez hit a game-tying double down the left-field line.
Arraez continued his baserunning brilliance by reaching third after Machado’s fly ball and then successfully scoring from there thanks to a sharp jump and an errant throw home by Adam Frazier. Padres manager Mike Shildt credited the team’s baserunning efforts, stating,
“Four great plays on the bases helped us shake hands at the end of the game,”
—Mike Shildt, Padres Manager
Dylan Cease to Start, Building on Solid Track Record Against Pirates
San Diego’s pitching on Saturday will be led by Dylan Cease, who holds a 1-3 record with a 4.58 ERA this season. Cease recently earned a no-decision in a 5-3 Padres victory against Atlanta after allowing three runs, walking one, and striking out eight in five innings. Notably, in his four previous starts against Pittsburgh, Cease has been effective with a 2.87 ERA and a 1-0 record.
During his last outing against the Pirates on May 2, Cease threw 91 pitches over four innings, permitting two runs on three hits while issuing three walks and striking out three. His history against Pittsburgh suggests he can continue to control the game as San Diego seeks to extend their winning streak.
Pittsburgh Pirates Counter with Lefty Bailey Falter
The Pirates will send left-hander Bailey Falter to the mound for Saturday’s game. Falter carries a 3-3 record with a 3.47 ERA on the season and recently pitched nearly six innings in a narrow 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing three runs on four hits while walking three. In his four starts against San Diego, Falter has yet to earn a decision, posting a 3.38 ERA.
One of his most impressive performances came on May 3, when Falter worked seven innings, conceding just one run on two hits with two walks and six strikeouts in a close 2-1 defeat. Pittsburgh hopes this form can help halt their losing skid against the Padres.
Offensive Struggles Continue for Pirates Despite Victory in Hits
Although the Pirates outhit the Padres 7-3 on Friday, they were plagued by strikeouts, posting 14 in the game. Key batters Henry Davis, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Adam Frazier combined to go 0-for-12 with 10 strikeouts, deepening the team’s frustration. A questionable strike call against Davis in the eighth inning stranded potential runners and led to the ejection of Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly.
Spencer Horwitz Shows Promise Amid Team’s Offensive Difficulties
First baseman Spencer Horwitz provided a rare bright spot for Pittsburgh, delivering an RBI single that briefly put his team ahead 2-1 in the sixth inning. Emerging as a dependable player since returning from wrist surgery that sidelined him for six weeks, Horwitz also drew a walk in the eighth inning, loading the bases before Davis struck out.
Reflecting on his role, Horwitz said,
“I just want to earn their trust, earn their respect, any way I can,”
—Spencer Horwitz, Pittsburgh First Baseman
Implications of the Series and What Lies Ahead
This series continues to underscore the Padres’ hold over the Pirates, with San Diego’s blend of opportunistic base running and solid pitching maintaining their edge. Dylan Cease’s upcoming start represents a key moment in their pursuit of extending this dominance. Meanwhile, the Pirates face mounting pressure to translate more of their offensive chances into runs while resolving their strikeout woes.
As the weekend series progresses, both teams’ performances will have significant implications for their standings and confidence levels. The Padres appear poised to build on their success, while Pittsburgh searches for adjustments to break their streak of losses against San Diego.