Padres Rally to Defeat Braves 7-4 on Opening Day

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres mounted a thrilling comeback against the Atlanta Braves, winning 7-4 on Opening Day Thursday at Petco Park. Despite early challenges, the Padres rallied in the seventh inning to secure the victory.

Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets ignited the fourth-run rally with a game-tying home run off Braves pitcher Héctor Neris. Outfielder Jackson Merrill led the Padres’ offense, driving in four runs during the game. Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado also contributed with multiple hits.

The Braves struck first, with Ozzie Albies hitting a two-run homer that temporarily put Atlanta ahead 3-2 in the third inning. However, the Braves’ bullpen faltered late, allowing San Diego to swing the momentum back in their favor.

Chris Sale, starting for Atlanta, gave up three runs on six hits over five innings while striking out seven, continuing his quest for redemption after last season’s struggles. After the game, Sale noted, “It wasn’t my best outing, but we battled hard.”

Atlanta’s early offense featured a standing ovation for Jurickson Profar, who returned to Petco Park to face his former team and recorded a leadoff single. The Braves managed to load the bases in the first inning but only capitalized for one run.

“It’s a tough way to start the season, but we showed that we can score and fight back,” said Albies after the game.

Heading into the seventh, the game took a decisive turn. After Sheets’ homer tied the game at 4-4, the Padres’ offense surged. Luis Arraez provided a go-ahead sacrifice fly before Machado doubled to extend the lead. Merrill capped the inning with another sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 7-4.

The Braves fell short in the ninth as Padres closer Robert Suarez retired the side to secure the win. “This wasn’t the finish we wanted, but we’ll regroup and come back stronger,” said Braves third baseman Austin Riley.

Despite the loss, the Braves know there is plenty of baseball left to play, with their next game scheduled against the Padres again on Friday at 9:40 p.m. ET. Their home opener will follow on April 4 against the Miami Marlins.

As fans flooded into the Summerhill neighborhood back in Atlanta, they celebrated the start of the baseball season at the Braves’ annual block party, highlighting the team’s community connection despite the team’s struggles on the West Coast.