Padres-Nationals series providing unexpected fireworks
Padres-Nationals series providing unexpected fireworks
The San Diego Padres opened up their home series against the Washington Nationals Monday night in what should have been a relatively plain three-game set against a non-divisional opponent. However, after a walk-off, opposing players arguing with home fans, a bench-clearing altercation, ejections, and a series of cinematic home runs it quickly turned into one of the most heated series MLB has seen this year.
The tension truly started in the bottom of the 10th inning on Monday. With Washington leading 6-5, the Nationals intentionally walked Luis Arraez to load the bases with Jurickson Profar coming to bat. Profar hit a walk-off single and was seen pointing and shouting at the Nationals dugout. Washington players clearly took offense to the celebration and OF Jesse Winker was seen arguing with a Padres fan in the lower levels of the stadium after the game.
Things really boiled over during Tuesday's game. The jawing started early with Winker and Profar when they crossed paths after the last out of the top of the first inning. Then as Profar came to the plate for his first at-bat Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz voiced his displeasure until both benches cleared and warnings were issued to each side.
On the next pitch, MacKenzie Gore pelted Profar with a 98 mph fastball in the leg. To the displeasure of Padres manager Mike Shildt, Gore was not ejected, which ultimately led to Shildt's ejection. Then, in what seemed like a scene out of a movie, Manny Machado launched a home run into left field to give San Diego an early 2-0 lead.
However, by the third inning, the Nationals had tied it back up and Winker stepped to the plate with a man on third and two outs. He would match Machado and give his own team a two-run home run to take the lead and silence the fans of Petco Park.
That lead held until the fifth inning, when first baseman Jake Cronenworth nailed a line drive single to bring in one run and designated hitter Donovan Solano added a two-run single to make it a 5-4 Padres lead. It was proving to be a competitive matchup, but then Profar decided he had seen enough.
With one out in the sixth inning, Profar stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and a chance to flip the game on its head. He ripped a line drive just inside the right foul pole line and once again had a reason to celebrate, as his grand slam gave San Diego a 9-4 lead.
The Padres went on to win the game 9-7 and with the series win already secured they will go for a sweep in the series finale on Wednesday.
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