Padres talk smack with the bats, cruise to 10-2 win over Dodgers
Credit: USA Today
San Diego shifts series to Petco Park as the Padres hit six home runs en route to NLDS Game 2 win in LA
The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers met for Game 2 of the National League Division Series in Los Angeles. The Dodgers took Game 1 of the series Saturday night and then the Padres dominated the second, shifting momentum the Padres way.
This contest was chaotic from the start, and the Padres rode the wave all the way to the finish.
“Just how resilient we are,” Fernando Tatis Jr. said postgame when asked what this win shows about his team. “It’s a special group that we have. You know, a lot of emotions but the best part is we controlled those emotions and we took care of business today. Man, if we keep showing up like this, there is no limit for us.”
Buckle up …
The first of six home runs came very early. The Friars got on the board first as Tatis Jr. smashed a home run left field off Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty.
Tati time ⏰ pic.twitter.com/nxK6CW6gyR
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 7, 2024
His team led 1-0 early as the Dodgers came to bat for the first time. After starter Yu Darvish struck out Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts walked up to the plate. He drilled a ball to left field close to the foul pole and Jurickson Profar leaped to rob it from clearing the fence. Profar then jumped up and down for a few seconds, taunting the fans.
Pure joy from Jurickson Profar after robbing a home run during a #postseason game 😁 #NLDS pic.twitter.com/xgDE4zQ0Ko
— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2024
That was as incredible of a catch in a playoff game as you will see. The Padres needed defense to get by in this series. The Dodgers contain one of the best offenses in the league and any time you can halt runs will benefit late in the contest.
The following inning, the Padres increased their lead to three. David Peralta launched a shot to right-center field, scoring Jackson Merrill. In his first start of this playoffs, Peralta contributed right away. His veteran presence has been beneficial for the Padres clubhouse in the postseason.
The second inning continued to the bottom half, and it proved to be a crucial moment in the game. Darvish allowed the bases loaded with nobody out but would not let it get to him. He would then get out of the inning after inducing a sac fly and double play.
The Padres’ defense continued to keep the Dodgers from scoring. Led by Tatis Jr, the Boys in Brown were flashing the leather while Darvish cruised past the Dodgers hitters.
San Diego held a 3-1 lead.
Things then got real chippy. Flaherty and Manny Machado were chipping at each other and then after that, a fan threw a ball at Profar before the bottom of the 6th inning could start. The delay lasted several minutes as the umpires, as well as security, were trying to escalate the scene. They removed the Padres’ outfielders from the outfield for their own safety. Fans in right field even threw objects directed toward Tatis.
“It’s a show, it’s MLB the Show,” Tatis said postgame about the chaos. “We’re giving these people a show. It looked like (the fans) got upset cause we got up. But this is the playoffs and this is the envirnment we are built for.”
Tatis then went on to say that he did not feel like he was in danger.
The Dodgers fan base acted very classless against an opponent they claim is not a rival of theirs. Padres manager Mike Shildt walked out on the field and grabbed his whole team for a huddle. He then talked to the entire team in the dugout later on, and it was Machado who gathered everyone together. Both Shildt and the captain Machado needed to calm everyone down and give their wisdom for the situation.
It worked.
The inning finally got under way, and Darvish completed the inning, allowing only one base runner. After that, both Merrill and Xander Bogaerts joined in on the home run fun with back-to-back jacks.
Welcome to the Postseason, Jackson Merrill! pic.twitter.com/yWY1iysvEs
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 7, 2024
The Friars extended the lead to six and needed just six outs to win.
X factor. pic.twitter.com/JHbYBB2OR7
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 7, 2024
Tanner Scott relived Darvish, but not after a gem from the right-hander. He completed seven innings of work and allowed just the one run from a sacrifice fly and only three hits. San Diego needed a big performance from Darvish, and he gave his team a masterclass performance.
The Padres were not done taking it to the NL West Division winners. Kyle Higashioka homered to left-center field, and then Tatis smashed his second homer of the game on an opposite-field jack. That home run solidified the record as the most by any team in a single game in postseason history.
In the bottom of the ninth, Alex Jacob made his playoff debut. He allowed Max Muncy to hit a homer, which was the final run of the game.
It didn’t matter. The game was over, and the Padres could not wait to get back to San Diego. The Friars handled business and accomplished their goal by taking home-field advantage from the Dodgers.
Mike Shildt: “I know we’re about to get back to San Diego with a very, very loud raucous, aggressive, hungry crowd that’s gonna be super excited, gonna be getting after it. But I know also – stay classy San Diego.”
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) October 7, 2024
Game 3 is Tuesday, October 8, at 6:08 p.m. and will continue to be televised on FS1. The starters will be Michael King taking on Walker Buehler.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.