The San Diego Padres staged a dramatic late-game comeback to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 on Sunday, capping a thrilling series at Petco Park. The game’s headlines belonged to Andrew McCutchen and Robert Suarez, each making their mark in pivotal moments.
McCutchen, the Pirates’ veteran outfielder, blasted a two-run homer in the third inning—his 240th as a Pirate—tying the legendary Roberto Clemente for third place on Pittsburgh’s all-time home run list. The milestone shot gave Pittsburgh an early lead, which grew to 4-1 after Adam Frazier’s solo homer in the fourth.
The Padres, however, chipped away at the deficit. Manny Machado’s first-inning homer set the tone, but it was a four-run seventh inning that turned the tide. Luis Arraez tied the game with a bases-loaded single, and Machado’s sacrifice fly put San Diego ahead. Tyler Wade’s infield single added insurance as the Padres surged to a 6-4 advantage.
Robert Suarez, San Diego’s dominant closer, sealed the win with a perfect ninth inning—his major league-leading 19th save. Suarez also delivered a crucial strikeout with the bases loaded in the eighth, preserving the Padres’ lead and ensuring the series victory.
The Padres’ comeback win keeps them in the thick of the playoff race, while McCutchen’s historic homer cements his legacy in Pittsburgh baseball history.
