“Beat LA!”: Padres’ Kyle Higashioka’s Heroic Home Run-led Win Leads to an Iconic Demand from San Diego Natives

Kyle Higashioka ignited a wild rally with a solo homer that sparked a five-run explosion against a struggling Max Fried, all with two outs in the second inning. Talk about clutch! The San Diego Padres really turned up the heat and managed to hold on for a thrilling 5-4 victory, completing the sweep against the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. And if that wasn’t enough, Manny Machado came up big with a two-run double, clearing the bases and sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Moreover, Jackson Merrill, who’s making quite the name for himself as a top contender for NL Rookie of the Year, followed it up with a stunning two-run triple. The atmosphere at Petco Park was electric, with a sellout crowd of 47,705—the largest in the park’s history. Robert Suarez was absolutely lights out, pitching a perfect ninth to secure the save. You could feel the tension in the air as Higashioka snagged that foul pop from pinch-hitter Travis d’Arnaud for the final out.

He had to scramble a bit, maneuvering around first baseman Donovan Solano, who also chased the ball! As soon as Kyle Higashioka made that out, the energy in the stadium shifted to pure excitement. The crowd erupted into chants of “Beat L.A.!” Higashioka also made history as the first Padres catcher to homer in consecutive playoff games, launching a solo shot in their 4-0 victory the night before.

Kyle had also homered for the Yankees at Petco Park during the 2020 AL playoff bubble. Now, the catcher for the San Diego Padres is proving his worth after being part of that blockbuster trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees back in December. Acquiring Higashioka and Michael King was a big move, and it’s paying off in a major way as the Padres chase their postseason dreams. The team is on a mission, channeling their energy into a deeper playoff run in memory of their late owner, Peter Seidler. As they gear up to head up Interstate 5, they’ll be facing none other than Shohei Ohtani and the top-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers.

Can Kyle Higashioka and the Padres really beat L.A.?  

For both teams, the forthcoming three-game series at Dodger Stadium beginning on Tuesday will be an exciting show. It has the potential to be a celebration for both teams, the Dodgers are poised to win another division title, while the Padres could earn a wild-card postseason berth if they play well. There would be even more excitement if the Padres were to win the series since it would prolong the division race into the final weekend of the season.  

The stakes are high this time around considering the strong postseason history between these two teams. The Dodgers swept the Padres in the 2020 NLDS on their way to a World Series championship, but then the script changed in 2022 when the Padres pulled off a surprising upset in four games, despite finishing 22 games behind L.A. that season. But this year has been distinct –  with an 8-5 record, the Padres ended a 15-year losing streak to the Dodgers and won the rivalry for the first time since 2010.  

But when it mattered most, the Dodgers showed who’s in charge by winning two of three games at Chavez Ravine in late September to secure the division. It’s a heavyweight fight now, with a record of 98-64, the Dodgers lead the MLB in wins, but the Padres are also riding high at present, having won 43 games following the All-Star break—more than any other team.

Can the Padres and Kyle Higashioka take the title this season? What do you feel? Share in the comments.