Nick Pivetta returned from the IL and the Padres beat the Nationals 3-2

Pivetta threw five scoreless innings in his first start back. Jackson Merrill drove in two, and Mason Miller closed it at Petco Park.

By Chuck / Published September 7, 2026

The San Diego Padres beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Monday afternoon, September 7, 2026, at Petco Park.
Nick Pivetta started for the first time since coming off the injured list and threw five scoreless innings: 5.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts on 63 pitches. He earned the win and moved to 2-2.
San Diego scored three early. Manny Machado scored on Jackson Merrill's RBI single in the first. Fernando Tatis Jr. scored on Machado's single in the third, and Machado scored again on Merrill's second RBI single the same inning. Merrill finished 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and a stolen base. Tatis went 3-for-4.
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Dylan Crews cut the lead to 3-2 with a two-run homer in the sixth (his 11th). Kyle Hart, Bradgley Rodriguez, and Adrian Morejon each recorded a hold. Mason Miller pitched a scoreless ninth for his 34th save.
Jake Irvin took the loss (2-9) after 5.2 innings and three earned runs. Attendance was 38,149.
Official game page: MLB Gameday. Feed: MLB Stats API.

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