MILWAUKEE — In a tightly contested game, Manny Machado homered to lead the San Diego Padres to a narrow 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. This hard-earned win allowed the Padres to clinch the series in Milwaukee before heading back home to welcome the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in their next matchup.
Machado’s decisive moment came when he hit a 425-foot home run into the left-center field seats off a full-count pitch from Rob Zastryzny, marking Machado’s third homer in his recent four-game streak. This particular run was significant as it was the first allowed by Zastryzny across 10 appearances this season.
The Padres’ bullpen shone brightly with Yuki Matsui securing the win after stepping in for Ryan Bergert, who turned in 5 1/3 competent innings in only his second career start. Adding to the Padres’ robust defense was Robert Suarez, who notched his 21st save in 23 tries, by retiring Brice Turang after a single allowed to Joey Ortiz.
The Brewers seemed on the cusp of a breakthrough multiple times but left 10 players on base during the game’s last five innings. Despite the formidable efforts by both starting pitchers, neither team could register a hit until the middle of the fifth inning. The Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins recorded the first hit with a single, while Tyler Wade delivered the Padres’ first hit of the day by the sixth.
Despite a few golden opportunities, Milwaukee couldn’t capitalize. In the fifth, they stranded runners on the corners after Jake Bauers struck out and Caleb Durbin grounded out. The bases were loaded in the sixth, but a Matsui strikeout thwarted their advance. Despite having men in scoring positions in the subsequent innings, the Brewers often fell short, including a crucial eighth-inning strikeout by Jason Adam that kept the Padres’ advantage intact.
San Diego’s recent games showcase their knack for close encounters, with the last seven games decided by only a total of eight runs.
Looking ahead, the Padres are set to host the Dodgers on Monday. The game will feature a showdown of right-handed pitchers, with San Diego’s Nick Pivetta (6-2, 3.16 ERA) squaring off against the Los Angeles starter, Dustin May (3-4, 4.09 ERA). Meanwhile, the Brewers are gearing up to host the Atlanta Braves in a three-game home series. They will send right-hander Aaron Civale (1-1, 5.19) to the mound, facing Braves’ left-hander Chris Sale (3-4, 2.93).