Joe Musgrove’s storybook return saves Petco Park’s loudest roar for Padres’ Game 1 rout

By the time the center-field bullpen gate opened in the ninth inning, the Padres had already handled their business. There were no intentions of a Mason Miller outing in this one. The Cubs were buried and Michael King had spent seven innings squeezing the life out of their lineup. 

San Diego’s offense had turned Game 1 into an 8-0 beatdown. Petco Park had roared for home runs, strikeouts and Fernando Tatis Jr. chaotically rumbling home after stealing second base in the bottom of the seventh.

Just when you thought the fans could opt to be the traffic, the No. 44 appeared, and the entire building found another gear.

The “We want Joe” chants gave way to “Vampire,” Joe Musgrove’s familiar entrance music. The El Cajon native emerged from the bullpen, his teammates gathered along the dugout railing and a playoff rout became a homecoming. It was part sentimental and part earned. Whatever you want to call it, it was very cool.

Joe Musgrove gave Padres fans the ending they waited two years to see

Musgrove’s last major league pitch came on Oct. 2, 2024, against the Braves in another Wild Card game at Petco Park. His elbow gave out that night. Tommy John surgery followed, wiping away his entire 2025 season and sending his 2026 comeback through enough setbacks to make a return feel increasingly unlikely.

Earlier in September, Musgrove admitted he was “running out of answers.” Less than a month later, he was standing on a postseason mound with nearly 50,000 people screaming his name.

“I still can’t really put it together,” Musgrove said afterward.

Neither could Petco Park. And before we get too carried away, his inning was far from spotless. Musgrove struck out Michael Busch on three pitches, then allowed two singles and a walk as Chicago loaded the bases. That traffic gave the moment a little intensity. After a visit from Ruben Niebla, he settled down, pitched through nerves and reset to complete the shutout.

Musgrove induced a popup and froze Michael Conforto for the final strike. No runs. Two strikeouts. One enormous moment for him.

Manager Craig Stammen gave Musgrove the safest runway possible with an eight-run lead. That was definitely the right call. Musgrove’s postseason roster spot cannot exist as a ceremonial reward for completing rehab. The Padres need meaningful outs from every arm they’re carrying. Tuesday night provided some evidence that Musgrove can deliver, though it got a little rocky.

His fastball still had life, reaching 96 mph, while his breaking ball kept hitters off balance. When the inning became uncomfortable, he escaped instead of unraveling. Now it’s important to see how his arm recovers.

San Diego needs him capable of answering another call. One inning settled the question about whether his stuff could survive a major league lineup. His recovery will determine how often the Padres can use it.

Padres turned an ordinary final inning into a hometown payoff

Musgrove occupies a different place in San Diego than most players ever will. He’s the local kid who threw the first no-hitter in franchise history. He’s the pitcher who silenced Citi Field in the decisive game of the 2022 Wild Card Series. And he’s also the guy whose elbow broke down while trying to pitch the Padres deeper into postseason two years ago.

Everyone inside Petco Park knew the history. They understood exactly why a pitching change in an eight-run game mattered so much.

For most teams, the ninth inning of an 8-0 game is mop-up duty. In San Diego, this one was a reunion.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow