A historic start by teenager Ethan Salas and Gavin Sheets’ massive blast ignited Petco Park as the San Diego padres beat the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card series.
The San Diego Padres rolled to an 8-0 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the Wild Card series as Petco Park was full of energy.
On Wednesday, the energy was right back in downtown San Diego, although the flow of the game went differently.
20-year-old catcher Ethan Salas made MLB history by becoming the youngest catcher to start a postseason game in the history of the league.
In the end, the Padres moved on with a 4-1 win, and San Diego will face the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS.
The Padres scored two runs in the second inning as Xander Bogaerts had an RBI single and Ethan Salas drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.
The Cubs scored their first run of the series as Nico Hoerner had an RBI single in the fourth.
Nick Pivetta started the game for San Diego, but the veteran went just 3.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits with two walks before being removed.
Craig Stammen kept Pivetta on a short leash, and with a rested bullpen, it didn't seem to be a big deal.
Bradgley Rodriguez came in and went 1.2 innings without a hit, and he continues to impress on the big stage.
In the bottom of the fourth, downtown San Diego exploded as Gavin Sheets hit a monster, pinch-hit two-run home run.
Sheets hit for Austin Hays, and, well, just watch.
Jason Adam then threw a hitless inning, and Adrian Morejon entered and went two innings, giving up just one run. The Padres turned a sweet double play to get out of the eighth inning.
On Tuesday, the only relievers San Diego used for Yuki Matsui and Joe Musgrove, with the latter making his first appearance since Game 2 of the 2024 Wild Card series, as Petco Park exploded when he ran out onto the field.
Cubs starter Kevin Gausman went just 3.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Daniel Palencia allowed a run in 1.2 innings, and Craig Counsell again had to dip into the Chicago bullpen earlier than he had hoped for.
In the top of the ninth, Petco Park exploded again as superstar closer Mason Miller took the mound.
Miller struck out Ian Happ, then Nico Hoerner doubled. Miller then struck out Michael Conforto, and Carson Kelly grounded out to end the game and the series.
So, the Padres move on, and outscore the Cubs, 12-1, in a dominant performance in San Diego.
Let the celebrations roll.
