San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Watch: Padres jump ahead of Braves with five-run second inning

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Oct 2, 2024 9:58 PM ET

The San Deigo Padres had the Atlanta Braves suffering from deja vu after another early offensive explosion in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series.

Trailing the Braves 1-0, the Padres put together a huge second inning. With two outs, San Deigo recorded six straight hits, pushing five runs across the plate while chasing starter Max Fried from the game.

Kyle Higashioka started the rally, homering for the second straight game to tie the Game 2, 1-1. Following a Luis Arraez single, the Padres loaded the bases with back-to-back infield singles by Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jurickson Profar, setting the stage for a two-run double by Manny Machado.

San Deigo wasn't done yet, as the next batter, rookie Jackson Merrill, tripled home Profar and Machado, making the score 5-1.

The rookie and the vet pic.twitter.com/CnqApywbLd
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 3, 2024

The disastrous start for the Braves was reminiscent of Game 1, which they lost 4-0. In the opener, the Padres got to work early against starter AJ Smith-Shawver, who allowed three runs after facing only nine batters.

Meanwhile, Atlanta's offense has stayed quiet through four innings.

A day after Michael King quieted the Braves (7.0, 5 H, 0 ER, 12 K), Joe Musgrove did the same. Before giving way to Hoeing with two down in the fourth inning, he set down 11 straight after allowing a double to the second batter he faced (Michael Harris II).

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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