SAN DIEGO — This spring, on the morning the Padres have been set to carry their first full-squad exercise in Peoria, Ariz., they launched Nick Pivetta.
It had been a largely quiet winter in San Diego — after a bitter October. As their new season dawned, the Padres obtained a jolt from Pivetta’s arrival. Their rotation wanted reinforcements, and so they landed the highest remaining starter on the free agent market.
Plus, they envisioned large issues for Pivetta. Throughout eight large league seasons with the Phillies and Pink Sox, Pivetta’s outcomes had by no means fairly lived as much as his wonderful stuff. Possibly in San Diego it might all click on?
Fairly a begin. Pivetta was totally dominant in his debut on Sunday. He labored seven scoreless innings, permitting only one hit, because the Padres accomplished a series-opening four-game sweep of the Braves with a 5-0 victory at Petco Park.
“I imply, welcome to San Diego, Nick Pivetta,” stated Padres supervisor Mike Shildt. “He dominated counts, had life on his heater, a extremely, actually good curveball. His sweeper was good. … Actually masterful sport from Nick.”
For the second time in franchise historical past, the Padres are 4-0. The final time they began the season with 4 straight victories, they received the 1984 Nationwide League pennant.
Naturally, these Padres are thrilled with that document. (How might they not be?) However after their victory Sunday, they appeared extra happy with the way of these 4 victories. The pitching, at present driving a streak of twenty-two consecutive scoreless innings, has been wonderful. The protection and baserunning have been flawless. The hitting has been well timed.
“It’s only a group effort general,” Pivetta stated. “It’s all 26 guys doing their job, placing in and displaying up when wanted. It’s enjoyable and thrilling.”
Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Jackson Merrill and Brandon Lockridge all recorded RBI doubles on Sunday. That was greater than sufficient assist for Pivetta, who grew to become the primary Padres starter since Sean Manaea to work seven scoreless innings in his debut with the group. (Manaea held the Diamondbacks hitless in April 2022.)
Pivetta was equal elements dominant and environment friendly, requiring solely 82 pitches. He didn’t stroll anybody. His fastball had life, and each of his breaking pitches have been sharp. Behind Pivetta, the Padres performed their traditional model of excellent protection.
“He retains you within the sport,” stated proper fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who continued his red-hot begin to the season by reaching base 4 occasions. “He’s pounding the zone. … He confirmed what he’s going to carry to this group as we speak, and I can’t wait to play behind him.”
The crusing received’t all the time be this clean. Pivetta arrived in San Diego with a 4.76 profession ERA. He by no means has posted a single-season mark beneath 4.00. However over the previous couple seasons, his peripherals have been strong — which signifies a pitcher who had fallen sufferer to some tough luck (and residential video games in hitter-friendly Fenway Park).
So the Padres inked Pivetta to a four-year deal, simply as they have been set to start Spring Coaching. His arrival helped reply one of many greatest query marks they confronted all offseason. Behind Michael King, Dylan Stop and Yu Darvish, the San Diego rotation was skinny.
Pivetta’s arrival gave the Padres the depth they wanted. However additionally they felt that his signing had the potential to be rather more than a depth addition. 4 years in the past, Joe Musgrove arrived as a depth piece who had by no means completed a full season with a sub-4 ERA. However his stuff had all the time been electrical, and he hit the bottom working upon his arrival in San Diego.
Quickly sufficient, Musgrove had developed right into a front-line weapon. Pivetta has a methods to go earlier than he reaches that standing. However he’s off to a pleasant begin.
“It’s a extremely nice begin for the membership, for the group,” Pivetta stated. “The followers — their pleasure and power has been great.”
Certainly, the Padres have performed 4 video games, they’ve received all 4, and so they’ve bought out their downtown San Diego ballpark 4 occasions. They haven’t trailed for the reason that seventh inning on Opening Day.
Every time Blink 182’s “All of the Small Issues” has performed following the highest of the eighth, all the stadium has sung in unison. It’s a every day celebration within the East Village. It’s additionally a becoming anthem.
“Simply numerous good baseball,” Shildt stated of the season-opening sweep.
It has been solely 4 video games, however the Padres have, certainly, completed all of the small issues.
