The Padres took a trip to Goodyear to face the Cincinnati Reds in what might be their last game without some of their star players. Despite a valiant effort to erase a 9-3 deficit, the Padres fell just short, with the Reds securing an 11-10 victory in this back-and-forth thriller.
Nick Pivetta's Debut on the Mound
Nick Pivetta made his first appearance in the Cactus League this year, opting to skip pitching for Team Canada to focus on his role with the Padres. Over two innings, he allowed three runs but showcased a diverse arsenal with six different pitch types.
His four-seam fastball and sweeper retained their 2025 sharpness, though his command was a bit off. Notably, his curveball found the zone 71.4% of the time.
Pivetta also reintroduced his splitter, clocking in at an average of 87.3 mph, which could become a key component of his pitching strategy.
Manny Machado's Momentum
Manny Machado is gearing up for the World Baseball Classic, and he’s doing so in style. Machado went 2-for-3 with two homers and six RBIs.
His first homer was a rocket off Reds' Nick Sando, tying the game at three. Later, a grand slam against Graham Ashcraft knotted the score at nine.
With this performance, Machado tied for the team lead in spring RBIs, setting the stage for a potentially dominant WBC showing.
San Antonio Bullpen's Mixed Results
Several pitchers from the Padres' San Antonio Missions affiliate took the mound, delivering mixed results. Miguel Mendez flashed a 97.0 mph fastball but struggled with secondary pitches, leading to four runs.
Manuel Castro gave up a crucial home run, while Ryan Och impressed by navigating through traffic for a scoreless inning. Garrett Hawkins closed out, giving up the deciding run despite effective use of his fastball and cutter.
Standout Performances
Rodolfo Duran hit his first home run of the spring, showing off his power potential. Sung-Mun Song sparked a six-run rally with his first hit, and Marcos Castanon added an RBI single. In the field, Samad Taylor and Bryce Johnson each contributed with outfield assists.
Musgrove's Simulated Game
Joe Musgrove threw a simulated game in Peoria, completing three innings and 34 pitches, providing a glimpse of his readiness for the season.
Looking Ahead
The Padres continue their Arizona road trip with a matchup against the Colorado Rockies in Scottsdale. Randy Vasquez will make his second spring start, facing off against Rockies' Tanner Gordon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 pm Pacific, with coverage available on MLB.com.