How One Controversial Call Ended Padres History

Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

August 12, 2024

A controversial game-ending call against the San Diego Padres just ended franchise history. In the final game in a series against the Miami Marlins, the Padres were looking to extend the game into extra innings for the third time following an early 5–0 lead held by the Marlins at the hands of Dylan Cease. By the ninth inning, they managed to close the gap significantly and only allowed the Marlins two more runs, making the game 7–6.

The Controversial Call

With two outs, Ha-Seong Kim was up to bat in the top of the ninth against pitcher Andrew Nardi and hit what was thought to be a game-tying home run. However, in a play that some consider bizarre, the ball bounced off the padded wall in left field. It ricocheted of the glove of left fielder Kyle Stowers and over the wall. After an umpire review, the play was ruled a ground-rule double, effectively reversing the run and sending Kim to second base.

George Soriano relieved Nardi afterward. He struck out Luis Campusano, recording his first save as a member of the Miami Marlins, ending the Padres’ seven-game winning streak and a potential back-to-back series sweep. It could have been the first undefeated road trip of six or more games in franchise history.

Reportedly, Padres manager Mike Shildt did not receive a detailed breakdown from crew chief Bill Miller on the reversal. However, he remained ambivalent about his feelings about the call, “I think they got it right. Whether I agree with the rule or don’t agree with the rule, it’s a tough play because of the timing of it. The ball went over the fence, didn’t touch the ground. Feels like a home run. But the rule tells you differently,” said Shildt.

Making Padres History

Despite the loss, It’s been a remarkable past two weeks for the Padres. They made some aggressive moves mere hours before the official Major League Baseball trade deadline. Their all-or-nothing attitude seems to have paid off in relievers Jason Adam and Tanner Scott. For the first time in franchise history, the Padres have gone 16–2 over their last 18 games. Scott has pitched a total of five innings as a Padre and his ERA stands at 1.43. Adam has pitched a total of six innings and allowed zero runs since becoming a member of the Padres.

After coming back from their previous road trip, they returned home to Petco Park to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. They also faced their fellow division rivals the Colorado Rockies. The Padres hit the road again after a two-game sweep of the Dodgers. They posted an overall 2–1 series victory against the Rockies. The road led them back to PNC Park. They swept the Pittsburgh Pirates and eventually led them to a nail-biting series at loanDepot park. In the end, the Padres managed to make losing still look cool in a very close game. It will be a very interesting stretch for the Padres in these final weeks of the regular season.