Oviedo, Pirates Snap Droughts in 3-2 Win Over Padres

Recap

Johan Oviedo and the Pittsburgh Pirates both snapped droughts in their 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Petco Park.

For Oviedo (4-11), it had been since May 19 against the Arizona Diamondbacks since he last earned a win. He was awarded the victory after limiting the Padres (49-54) to one run in six innings. Oviedo allowed three hits, walked three and struck out five batters.

For the Pirates, this is their first series win since they swept these Padres in three games at PNC Park from June 27-29.

The Pirates (45-57) relied on the long ball — solo homers from Ji-Man Choi, Bryan Reynolds and Carlos Santana– to carry them on offense. Reynolds finished the game 2 for 4.

The Padres loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning against David Bednar and Padres manager Bob Melvin called on Juan Soto to pinch hit for Gary Sanchez. Soto drew a walk making it a 3-2 game.

Bednar was able to record the next two outs to preserve the win and earn a hard-fought save.

Key Moment 

After getting a bad jump in left field resulting in the Padres tying the game 1-1 in the third, Reynolds led off the top of the fourth with an opposite-field homer to give the Pirates the lead back.

Star of the Game

Oviedo was 0-3 with a 7.54 ERA in the month of July prior to Wednesday’s start, but the right-hander held the Padres to a single run in six innings to end the month on a good note.

Stat to Know

In between his win on Wednesday and his last one in May, Oviedo had taken the loss in eight straight decisions, including six outings in a row from June 10-July 6.

Noteworthy

• The Pirates are now 16-10 against the Padres since the start of the 2019 season. That’s their best record against any National League team in that span (.615)
• Bednar closed it off in the ninth inning for his 20th save which is a new career-high.
• Choi now has six home runs in 20 games this season for the Pirates. Despite missing most of the year due to injury, that’s already tied for sixth on the club.
• Oviedo was dinged for three automatic balls (four violations) in the first inning after coming set before the batter was alert to him.
• This game was managed by Pirates’ bench coach Don Kelly as Derek Shelton (0ne game) and Angel Perdomo (three games) were suspended by Major League Baseball.

Up Next

The Pirates come back home to face the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game series beginning Friday night. Mitch Keller (9-6, 4.01) will look to get back on track after a couple rough outings to begin the second half. The Phillies have yet to announce a starter.