San Diego Padres designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn praised teammate Nick Pivetta following an outstanding pitching performance on Tuesday at Petco Park. The Padres secured a 5-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, breaking their four-game losing streak thanks in large part to Pivetta’s strong outing.
Pivetta pitched six innings, allowing only one run while striking out 10 batters. His sharp pitches kept the opposing hitters off balance, allowing the bullpen to finish the game confidently. Meanwhile, the Padres offense came to life early, with O’Hearn hitting 2-for-4 and driving in a run, providing critical support in the lineup.
O’Hearn Reflects on Changed Impressions of Pivetta
After the game, O’Hearn expressed admiration for Pivetta’s competitiveness and work ethic, admitting his initial feelings were different during their time as opponents. O’Hearn spent two years with the Baltimore Orioles, while Pivetta was with the Boston Red Sox, where his impressions were less favorable.
“Playing against Nick for years when he was in Boston, I was like, ‘Man, this guy’s — I don’t know about this guy.’ But playing with him, I love him,”
O’Hearn said, per Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“He’s awesome. And just what a competitor he is when he takes the ball, you feel good about having a guy like that on your team.”
Pivetta’s Reliability Anchors Padres Rotation
Nick Pivetta has been a cornerstone of the Padres’ pitching staff this season, logging 141.1 innings with an impressive 2.87 ERA and 144 strikeouts. Known for his ability to go deep into games while limiting walks and generating swings-and-misses, the nine-year veteran has been a steadfast presence in the rotation.
Following his 10-strikeout effort, Pivetta shared his excitement about reaching the milestone and highlighted the emotional drive behind his pitching style.
“I really wanted that 10th punchy really bad, so I was pretty happy with that,”
Pivetta said.
“But I think it’s just overall, just the way I pitch. I’m an emotional person, but I care a lot about my teammates. Care a lot about this organization, and I want to win, so I’m gonna let emotion out.”
Looking Ahead: Pivetta’s Role in the Padres’ Playoff Push
With some inconsistency from other starters like Dylan Cease and injuries affecting the rotation, Pivetta’s steady workload has been critical for San Diego. His ability to consistently deliver quality innings provides the Padres with a reliable option as the postseason approaches, something the team will likely depend on in October.