*Photo from the San Diego Union Tribune*
The San Diego Padres were ahead of the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 entering the 9th inning. What ensued after that was something that can only be described as utter mayhem. After giving up 4 runs, they were trailing 4-2 and looking at a loss. Then, they turned it around just as fast. Eric Hosmer homered, Victor Caratini homered, and the Padres defeated the Reds 6-4 on Thursday night.
Thursday was also special for the Padres for another reason, as it was the first game where 100 percent capacity crowds were allowed at Petco Park since the end of the 2019 season. The Padres treated the game like a real opening day, with a giant unfurling of the American Flag, the introduction of both teams, and a flyover of F/A-18 Hornets from a nearby Marine Corps air station.
Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove said of the full capacity crowd that "This meant everything to me. It’s been so long since we’ve had a full crowd in there, I swear to God it felt like a playoff game at the start of the game, the nerves I had, the intensity. I had to kind of slow myself down after that first hitter. It was just so much fun, and to pull out the win the way we did makes it even more special."
Fernando Tatis got the scoring started for the Padres in the 6th inning, hitting his 22nd homer of the season, this one being a solo shot to center field, giving San Diego a 1-0 lead. In the 7th, Manny Machado belted a solo homer to center field as well, making the Padres lead 2-0. After the Reds took the lead in the top of the 9th, Eric Hosmer hit a game tying two run homer, and, a few batters later, Caratini delivered a walkoff two run homer for an electric win.
Padres manager Jayce Tingler said "I don’t know if we do that without the place just kind of rocking throughout the night. Magical finish there. This one feels like more than just a regular win. Now we’ve got to come back and play good baseball tomorrow. That’s how we get this thing going."
Pierce Johnson got the victory for the Padres, getting the final out of the 9th after a meltdown from closer Mark Melancon, who gave up 4 runs on 4 hits, blowing the save for San Diego. Musgrove had been in line for the win, but had to settle for the no decision, allowing no runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, while striking out two hitters in 7 strong innings. Emilio Pagan pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
For the Reds, Joey Votto scored on a ground out from Kyle farmer in the 9th, getting the Reds on the board and cutting the Padres lead to 2-1. Tyler Stephenson then hit an RBI single to center field, tying the game 2-2. Rookie Jonathan India then cranked a two run homer to left field, giving Cincinnati the 4-2 lead, before the Padres came back.
Reds manager David Bell said of playing this game "What a great baseball game to be a part of. It felt very similar to a playoff game. Even though we lost the game, which was obviously disappointing, it was just a great experience, a great game for our team to be a part of."
The Reds and Padres continue their series tonight, with Tony Santillan getting the start for the Reds, and Chris Paddack will start for the Padres.
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