Printer-friendly version
By Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News AssociationPhoto: Opening Day started – and ended – sweetly for the Padres. Photo credit: @PetcoPark via X
March 29, 2024 (San Diego) -- The Padres won their home opener in comeback style Thursday, scoring four runs in the seventh against the Giants at Petco Park.
The 6-4 victory is their second of the year – the Friars began their season in South Korea a week ago, splitting a brief two-game series with the Dodgers.
It was the San Diego debut for new manager Mike Shildt, while San Francisco’s new skipper Bob Melvin – the man in charge of the Padres dugout the last two seasons – made his first Petco appearance since moving on.
The seventh inning was key, with the Giants taking a 3-2 lead in the top of the inning off Jhony Brito, the Padres third pitcher of the day. But the Friars answered quickly in the bottom of the inning after Giant starter Logan Webb departed.
Reliever Luke Jackson gave up two quick singles, to Luis Campusano and Tyler Wade, whose stolen base led to an error that allowed Campusano to score. A single by Xander Bogaerts brought in Wade to give the Padres a 4-3 lead and Jake Cronenworth drove in two more runs with a line-drive double.
Yu Darvish went five innings, giving up five hits and one run. Yuki Matsui, who followed Brito, got the win, his first as a Padre, and Robert Suarez the save. Jackson, who left the game with back tightness, took the loss.
The team also continued to salute late owner and chairman Peter Seidler, who died in November. A large heart with his initials was carved into the centerfield grass, similar to the patch players have on their uniforms. In addition, the heart is now displayed at Petco on the wall in front of the press box.
“He’s going to be with us in spirit and in memory …:” Shildt told MLB.com. “He’ll be in our hearts all season.”
Joe Musgrove takes the mound at 6:40 p.m. Friday in the second game of the four-game set, though the rainy weekend forecast could play havoc with the games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Recent comments