Braves Shut Out 5-0 by Padres in Series-Sweeping Loss, Off to Worst Start Since 2021

The Atlanta Braves’ struggles continued on Sunday night, as they were shut out 5-0 by the San Diego Padres, completing a disappointing four-game sweep to start the 2025 season.

With the loss, the Braves fall to 0-4, marking their worst start to a season since 2021.

This sweep is also historically significant, as it’s the first time the Braves have been swept in a season-opening, four-game series since 1980.

The Braves haven’t been swept in a four-game series at Petco Park since 1979, and this defeat extends their losing streak in San Diego to six games, including last season’s wild-card sweep.

On the mound, Braves starter AJ Smith-Shawver struggled to keep the Padres’ offense in check.

Smith-Shawver lasted just four innings, giving up two runs on six hits.

Despite his efforts, the Braves’ pitching couldn’t prevent the Padres from building an early lead.

The Braves offense couldn’t provide any support, as they were kept off the scoreboard by San Diego’s pitching staff.

Atlanta managed just one walk in the entire game, with Marcell Ozuna drawing it in the eighth inning off Padres reliever Jason Adam.

The Braves also managed only one hit, a third-inning single by Orlando Arcia, which was immediately erased by a force out at second base.

San Diego's Nick Pivetta was brilliant in his debut for the Padres, tossing seven innings of one-hit ball.

Pivetta faced the minimum 21 batters, allowing only a leadoff single to Arcia in the third inning, which was followed by a force out.

Pivetta struck out four batters and walked none, keeping the Braves offense at bay throughout the night.

Relievers Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada each threw a hitless inning in relief, completing the shutout and securing the win for the Padres.

The Padres jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a strong start by Fernando Tatis Jr., who led off with a double to right field.

Tatis advanced to third on a groundout by Luis Arraez, and Manny Machado followed by driving him in with a double to the right-field wall.

The Padres continued to add to their lead, with Xander Bogaerts, Jackson Merrill, and Brandon Lockridge all contributing RBI doubles to extend the lead to 5-0.

Tatis also singled in a run later in the game but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double.

This loss highlighted some ongoing struggles for the Braves’ offense.

Luis Arraez, the reigning NL batting champion, is off to a rough start, going 0-for-13 to open the season.

The Braves will need to get their key hitters going if they hope to turn things around.

Looking ahead, the Braves will try to rebound as they head to Los Angeles for a matchup against the Dodgers.

Right-handed pitcher Grant Holmes is slated to start for Atlanta in Monday’s game, and the Braves will be looking for a much-needed strong performance from their pitching staff.