SAN DIEGO — The third-largest crowd in Petco Park history rose as one and watched in wonder. The ball rocketed off Manny Machado’s bat at 106.7 mph and sailed toward center field, where a sea of San Diegans jockeyed for position beyond the wall, hoping to catch it. For a moment, it looked destined to be a game-tying home run that would send an already loud stadium into delirium. Then, just as the anticipation reached a fever pitch, Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell jumped and caught it at the top of the wall.
It was only the eighth inning, but that was the last gasp of the 2026 San Diego Padres. It felt all too familiar.
