Sun Mar 30 23:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Padres Rally Past Braves in Thrilling Opening Day Victory
**SAN DIEGO, CA** – The San Diego Padres edged out the Atlanta Braves 7-4 in a thrilling opening day matchup at Petco Park, fueled by a four-run seventh-inning rally. Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets’ game-tying home run ignited the comeback, with Jackson Merrill adding four RBIs to lead the Padres’ offense.
Fernando Tatís Jr. contributed three hits, while Luis Arraez and Manny Machado each added crucial RBIs in the decisive inning. The win marked a rematch of last year’s NL Wild Card Series, which the Padres ultimately won.
Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs, while Austin Riley also went deep. Braves starter Chris Sale, despite striking out seven in five innings, allowed three runs and six hits in his sixth opening day start. Sale missed last year’s playoff series against San Diego due to injury.
Padres starter Michael King struggled, exiting in the third inning after allowing three runs. Jurickson Profar, playing against his former team after a stellar 2024 season in San Diego, received a standing ovation before his leadoff single.
Rookie sensation Jackson Merrill, last year’s NL Rookie of the Year, drove in the first two runs for San Diego. The Padres’ late-inning heroics included a go-ahead run scored on Arraez’s flyout following Sheets’ homer. Machado then added an RBI double, stealing third and scoring on another Merrill flyout.
Wandy Peralta earned the win with a single pitch, while Robert Suarez secured the save despite allowing two baserunners. Sheets’ surprising inclusion on the Padres’ roster after a recent minor league deal proved pivotal. The Braves countered with Drake Baldwin, making his major league debut as their starting catcher – the first on opening day since 1951.
The series continues Friday with Dylan Cease pitching for the Padres against Reynaldo Lopez for the Braves.
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