With the sellout crowd of 42,667 on its feet in the ninth inning, right fielder Wil Myers chased down Justin Turner’s slicing liner to end the San Diego Padres’ 3-2 win against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. shot both arms into the air in celebration as the fans roared. Third baseman Manny Machado, who saved the game in the eighth with some clutch defensive plays, raised his right arm.
It’s a whole different vibe at Petco Park now that it’s been opened to 100% capacity.
Jake Cronenworth and rookie Kim Ha-seong homered off Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell pitched five scoreless innings and the Padres got their third straight victory against the Dodgers and sixth in a row overall following a 4-13 skid.
Manager Jayce Tingler said the Padres have been feeding off the crowds.
“It’s absolutely electric. We come out of the tunnel and you get to the dugout and you can just feel the energy,” Tingler said. “You can hear it as you walk down the tunnel. The anthem goes on and you eyeball the stadium and it’s packed.