In a classic pitcher’s duel, one swing made all the difference.
Manny Machado crushed a solo home run in the sixth inning, and the San Diego Padres used a six-man pitching effort to shut out the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 on Sunday. The win clinched the series for the Padres and set the tone as they head home for a highly anticipated matchup with the defending champion Dodgers.
Machado’s blast—a 425-foot shot to left-center off Rob Zastryzny—was his third in four games and the first run Zastryzny has surrendered all season.
Ryan Bergert, in just his second major league start, dazzled with 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Yuki Matsui earned the win in relief, while closer Robert Suarez notched his MLB-best 21st save, stranding two in the ninth to seal the win.
Both starters were sharp early, with no hits allowed through the first 4½ innings. The Brewers had multiple chances, leaving 10 runners on base over the final five innings—including a bases-loaded opportunity in the sixth that ended with a Sal Frelick strikeout.
San Diego’s last seven games have all been decided by one or two runs, and with the Dodgers up next, that razor-thin margin might continue.
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