Mar 30, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (27) delivers against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – The San Diego Padres have made an early statement in 2025, sweeping the Atlanta Braves with a dominant 5-0 win on Sunday night at Petco Park. And the star of the show? Right-hander Nick Pivetta, who delivered a near-perfect performance in his Padres debut.
Pivetta, who signed a four-year, $55 million deal with San Diego this offseason, was nothing short of spectacular, tossing seven shutout innings. He allowed just one hit, struck out four, and walked no one, keeping the Braves completely off balance. His 82-pitch outing was a masterclass in control, with 57 of those pitches finding the strike zone. The veteran’s fastball averaged 92.7 mph, but it was his ability to mix his arsenal and induce a whopping 20 swings and misses that kept Atlanta’s offense on its heels.
While Pivetta did the heavy lifting, the Padres’ offense was equally sharp. Fernando Tatis Jr. continued his scorching start to 2025 with two hits, including a double, and two walks. He’s now slashing an eye-popping .467/.529/.733 to begin the year, proving he’s not just back, but back with a vengeance. Tatis and his teammates powered through to secure a 5-0 victory, completing a four-game sweep of the Braves to start the season, a feat the Padres haven’t accomplished since 1984. That year, the Padres went on to win the National League pennant, only to fall short in the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Could history repeat itself? It’s still early, but it’s an encouraging start.
For Pivetta, the outing was the ideal beginning to his Padres career. He was signed to be the ace of the staff, and he showed why on Sunday, making it clear he can handle the pressure of playing for a team with high expectations. This win was important not just for the record books but for the Padres’ morale, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding ownership and payroll that has led to speculation the team might look to trade its top pitchers, including ace Dylan Cease. But for now, at least, Pivetta has given the Padres a reason to believe in their chances.
Meanwhile, the Braves, who couldn’t manage a single run in the series finale, have now gone 22 innings without scoring, dating back to the fifth inning of Friday’s game. Their 0-4 start marks the first time they’ve opened the season with such a slump since 2021, the year they went on to win the World Series. While it’s still early, the Braves are in for a tough road ahead, with a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers looming, followed by the return of key players like ace Spencer Strider and MVP candidate Ronald Acuña Jr.
The Braves will look to rebound, but with their offense sputtering and a daunting division ahead, it’s clear they have a lot of work to do. As for the Padres? They’ll keep rolling, with their ace Pivetta proving to be a perfect addition to the squad.
