In a dramatic Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series, the San Diego Padres rode the momentum of Kyle Higashioka’s solo home run to spark a five-run rally and held on to defeat the Atlanta Braves, 5-4, completing a sweep on Wednesday night at Petco Park. The victory sends the Padres into the National League Division Series, where they will face the top-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.
Higashioka’s pivotal home run came with two outs in the second inning off an ailing Max Fried, who was hit on the left hip by a Fernando Tatis Jr. grounder earlier in the game. That blow seemed to unsettle Fried, who exited after the inning. Higashioka’s blast, which made him the first Padres catcher to homer in consecutive playoff games, ignited a rally that saw San Diego pile on five runs.
Manny Machado added a two-run double with the bases loaded, and Jackson Merrill, a top contender for NL Rookie of the Year, followed with a two-run triple that brought the sellout crowd of 47,705 — the largest in Petco Park history — to its feet.
“Beat L.A.! Beat L.A.!” chants reverberated through the stadium as the Padres closed in on the win, a fitting refrain as they now prepare to face their NL West rivals. The Padres notably eliminated the 111-win Dodgers in the 2022 NLDS, and their upcoming matchup carries high stakes as they look to win their first-ever World Series title, playing in memory of their late owner, Peter Seidler.
The victory didn’t come without some challenges. Padres ace Joe Musgrove, who grew up in suburban El Cajon, left the game in the fourth inning with right elbow tightness after throwing two slow curveballs to Matt Olson. Musgrove has struggled with elbow issues throughout the season, missing 63 games. Manager Mike Shildt did not provide an immediate update on Musgrove’s condition, raising concerns about his availability for the NLDS.
Bryan Hoeing came in to relieve Musgrove and secured the win, despite the Braves’ attempts to rally. Jorge Soler’s solo homer in the fifth and Michael Harris II’s two-run shot in the eighth tightened the score, but the Padres bullpen held strong. Robert Suarez closed the door in the ninth, pitching a perfect inning and securing the save. The game ended with Higashioka catching a foul pop by pinch-hitter Travis d’Arnaud for the final out.
Fried’s early exit and Musgrove’s injury were key plot points in the game. Fried, who took the mound just two batters after being struck by the ball, gave up the five-run rally before being replaced by Dylan Lee at the start of the third inning. Musgrove, meanwhile, surrendered a first-inning run after Michael Harris II doubled and was brought home by a Marcell Ozuna sacrifice fly.
The Padres’ offensive explosion in the second inning proved to be enough to withstand Atlanta’s late-game push. Higashioka’s homer was followed by singles from Luis Arraez, Tatis, and Jurickson Profar to load the bases, setting the stage for Machado’s two-run double and Merrill’s clutch triple.
The Braves, banged up and missing key contributions from their stars, couldn’t mount a complete comeback. Harris’ home run off reliever Jason Adam in the eighth narrowed the deficit to one, but the Braves’ rally was stifled as the Padres’ bullpen held firm.
As the Padres head to Los Angeles, they carry with them the hopes of a passionate fanbase and the determination to honor the legacy of Peter Seidler with a deep postseason run. With Higashioka, Machado, and the rising star Merrill leading the way, San Diego looks poised for another thrilling chapter in their 2024 postseason journey.
“We’re ready for L.A.,” Machado said postgame. “It’s going to be a battle, but we’ve been here before, and we’re hungry for more.”
First pitch in the NLDS is set for Saturday evening in Dodger Stadium.
