Padres’ rally sparked by unexpected bat in 7-4 win over Braves to open season

In a lineup filled with stars, Opening Day ended up being Gavin Sheets’ day.

The pinch-hitter’s tying homer kicked off a four-run rally in the seventh inning as the Padres beat the Braves 7-4 Thursday at Petco Park.

Sheets connected off Héctor Neris (0-1) after San Diego had managed just one base runner in the previous three innings. Sheets made the Friars’ roster after signing a minor-league deal last month.

Air Jackson pic.twitter.com/hwJbYzV5x1

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 27, 2025

“Big swing for Gavin,” manager Mike Shildt told MLB.com. “Welcome to the Padres.”

Pinch-runner Jason Heyward, another newcomer, scored the go-ahead run on Luis Arraez’s flyout three batters after Sheets’ homer. Manny Machado then drove in Fernando Tatís Jr. with a double, stole third and scored on Jackson Merrill’s flyout.

Tatís and Machado had scored earlier, on a first-inning single by Merrill, last season’s runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year.

Hustle. pic.twitter.com/v7b5CMbSPW

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 27, 2025

Merrill drove in four runs and Tatís had three hits in a rematch of the 2024 wild-card playoff series won by the Padres.

But Michael King couldn’t escape the third inning, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks. Wandy Peralta ended up being credited with the win after throwing just one pitch.

Robert Suarez allowed two base runners before securing the save.

Ozzie Albies hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs for the Braves. Starter Chris Sale yielded three runs and six hits over five innings for the Braves. Last year’s Cy Young Award and pitching Triple Crown winner couldn’t pitch against San Diego in the playoffs due to back spasms.

NOTES: A popular Padre got a rousing welcome back, though he returned to Petco wearing a Brave uniform. Jurickson Profar, who spent parts of the past five seasons with San Diego, enjoyed a standing ovation before his leadoff single. He had the best year of his career in 2024 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs. He signed with Atlanta in January … The Friars set a new record for largest Opening Day crowd at Petco Park – 45,568 … Dylan Cease faces Atlanta’s Reynaldo Lopez at 6:40 p.m. Friday.