NLDS: Padres Beat Dodgers in San Diego to Take 2-1 Series Lead

Melvin pointed out that relievers Luis García, Robert Suarez and Hader each threw fastballs that were clocked in triple digits and “you don’t see 100 miles an hour often, especially out of three guys in a row. So I’m sure it had a big say in it.” Machado called it one of the best two crowds he’s ever experienced, alongside the Miami atmosphere in the World Baseball Classic.

The ultimate nightmare for Roberts, of course, would be if his team was eliminated by the Padres. Then, not only would arguably the best Dodgers club in history have been sent home early, but the manager, who lives in northern San Diego County, would be at home surrounded by Padres fans and October buzz.

In another of baseball’s endless and unique twists, the last time before Friday that the Padres hosted a playoff game with fans in attendance was on Oct. 5, 2006, against St. Louis — and the San Diego leadoff hitter that day was Dave Roberts. Also in the lineup, catching, was Josh Bard, who currently serves as the Dodgers’ bullpen coach.

Roberts said he was reminded of that Friday via a text from his son. “It was crazy going back into that period of time,” he said.

As Musgrove prepared for the start in which he hoped to close out the Dodgers, he, too, has plenty of memories as a kid growing up in San Diego, attending games in old Qualcomm Stadium and, eventually, idolizing Jake Peavy, who won a Cy Young Award with the Padres.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/15/sports/baseball/dodgers-padres-nlds-game-3.html