"Hopefully my boy get paid the right way" - Fernando Tatis Jr. backs Ha-Seong Kim in free agency while Luis Arraez hopes for a Padres contract
The San Diego Padres' 2024 season ended after they were beaten 2-0 by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLDS on Friday. With the win, the Dodgers clinch the series 3-2, and move on to face the New York Mets in the championship series.
After losing the opening game, the Padres came back strongly, and were arguably favorites to proceed to the next round as they led the series 2-1 heading into Game 4 at Petco Park. However, the Dodgers offense found the rhythm, winning the next two games 8-0 and 2-0, as the Padre's offense lost theirs at the most crucial of times.
Key members of the Padres squad talked to the media following the fifth game of the series on Friday. Fernando Tatis Jr. talked about teammate Ha-Seong Kim's upcoming free agency, wishing the Korean the best for the next season.
"Definitely going to miss Ha Seong. I love the guy, he's been great for this team. Wish him nothing but the best in the free agency, and hopefully my boy get paid the right way." Fernando Tatis Jr. said [1:46]
Also, leadoff hitter Luis Arraez talked about his desire to stay at Petco Park for "a long time." The 27-year-old finished the regular season in great form, winning the NL batting title.
"I wanna stay here [at the Padres]. Everybody knows it's business, I understand that, but I hope I stay here for a long time." Luis Arraez said, talking about a potential extension to stay with San Diego [3:14]
Dodgers edge Japanese pitching duel as Padres offense collapses
With a 2-0 win in the rubber game of the series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have successfully clinched a spot in the NLCS. Japanese starters Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yu Darvish took the mound in what turned out to be a pitcher's duel.
Yamamoto, in five innings, allowed only two hits and zero earned runs. Darvish on the other hand, went 6.2 innings, allowing two earned runs, which were home runs from Kike Hernandez and Teoscar Hernandez. This was Darvish's second quality start of the playoff series, with the 38 year old also going seven innings allowing only one earned run in his team's 10-2 win in Game 2.
As both pitchers were on the top of their game, the pair of home runs were the difference between the two sides. After looking almost unstoppable after the second and third games of the series, the Padres offense ran out of steam at the worst possible time, as they went scoreless in 24 consecutive innings leading to their elimination.