The San Diego Padres defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-4 in the National League Wild Card Series on Wednesday for their second straight victory, setting up an NLDS showdown with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
San Diego scored all five runs with two outs in the second inning, starting with Kyle Higashioka’s solo home run. After the home run, Manny Machado (double) and Jackson Merrill (triple) each drove in two runs, giving the Padres five consecutive hits and taking a lead they would never relinquish at Petco Park.
The Padres now face the Dodgers in a best-of-five series. This is a rematch of the 2022 NLDS, where San Diego sent Los Angeles’ 111-win powerhouse to its first NLCS appearance since 1998.
Atlanta entered the season with high expectations as the 6-consecutive NL East champion, but they were overwhelmed by season-ending injuries to star players such as Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider, and Austin Riley, and ended the season with high expectations. He settled on a wild card spot. Last day of the regular season.
The NLDS begins Saturday at Dodger Stadium.
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Michael Harris II’s home run makes the game a 1 point difference.
Atlanta’s Orlando Arcia led off the eighth inning with a single from Jason Adam, and then Michael Harris II hit a first-pitch homer, cutting the lead to 5-4 against the Braves.
Atlanta wastes 6 chances
Atlanta tied the game in the top of the sixth inning, but Tanner Scott ended the threat by hitting Matt Olson to left field in a left-handed pitcher-on-left pitcher matchup.
5-2 Padres midway through the 6th inning.
Joe Musgrove injured, Padres win 5-2
Starting pitcher Joe Musgrove appeared to be injured, and the Padres’ right-handed pitcher left the game with two outs in the fourth inning. Musgrove seemed to realize something during the windup after throwing an incredibly slow curveball to Matt Olson. Brian Howing came out of the bullpen to replace Musgrove.
2021 World Series MVP Jorge Soler hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to make it 5-2.
Padres fight back with 5-run double
The Padres scored five runs with two outs in the bottom of the second inning against Max Fried and took a 5-1 lead after falling behind in the top of the first inning.
After Kyle Higashioka tied the game with a home run for the second straight game, the Padres had five more consecutive hits and scored four more runs on Manny Machado’s two-RBI double and Jackson Merrill’s two-RBI triple.
Padres fail to score after bases loaded
In the bottom of the first inning, the Padres loaded the bases with two infield hits and a fielder’s choice, with no outs. After Manny Machado struck out for the first out, Braves ace Max Fried escaped unscathed with back-to-back grounders from Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts.
Braves take first inning
Michael Harris II led off the game with a double, advanced to third base on Ozzie Albies’ grounder to right, and led off Marcell Ozuna’s sacrifice fly against Yu Darvish.
Atlanta was held scoreless in Game 1, had 15 strikeouts, and lost 4-0.
Braves vs. Padres highlights
Date: Wednesday, October 2nd Time: 8:38 PM ETTV: ESPN2 Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
Braves vs. Padres lineup
atlanta braves
Michael Harris II (left) CFO Gee Albies (S) 2B Marcell Ozuna (right) DH Matt Olson (left) 1B Jorge Soler (right) RF Ramon Laureano (right) LF Gio Urshela (right) 3B Sean Murphy (right) Corland Arcia (right) SS
san diego padres
Luis Arraez (left) DHF Fernando Tatis Jr. (right) RF Jurickson Profar (S) LF Manny Machado (right) 3B Jackson Merrill (left) CFX Ander Bogaerts (right) SS Donovan Solano (right) ) 1B Jake Cronenworth (left) 2B Kyle Higashioka (right) C
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