In Monday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta recorded five strikeouts, raising his season total to 190 — a career high for the nine-year veteran.
San Diego went on to beat Milwaukee 5-4 in extra innings. José Iglesias homered for the Padres, while Christian Yelich drove in two runs for the Brewers. Freddy Fermin delivered the walk-off hit that sealed the win and clinched a postseason berth for San Diego.
Pivetta has put together a career year with the Padres in 2025, posting 13 wins, a 2.87 ERA and 190 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings. All are personal bests, as is his 5.3 WAR — more than double his previous high of 2.5.
The 32-year-old is under contract with San Diego through 2026. He also holds a player option covering 2027 and 2028 that would pay him $32 million if exercised.
San Diego has now won three straight. Though the Padres remain 2 1/2 games behind the Dodgers with five games left, the NL West title is not out of reach. After wrapping up two more against Milwaukee, the Padres will host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series to close the regular season.
If unable to overtake Los Angeles, San Diego is likely to claim the No. 5 seed and face the Chicago White Sox in the opening round at Wrigley Field.
As for Pivetta, he is slated to start the Padres’ final game of the season, though the club may rest him if the NL West title is out of reach.
