"People gotta stop firing this guy up" - Fans amazed as Jurickson Profar continues to hurt Nationals after clutch grand slam
The Washington Nationals must hate the sight of the San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar by now. Profar, who was the hero for the Padres in the series opener, once again came clutch for the team in an intense battle on Tuesday.
Following his walk-off hit on Monday night, Profar was greeted with some words from Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz ahead of the Padres star's first at-bat. Ruiz put his hands on Profar's shoulder, which prompted Manny Machado to intervene with both benches clearing as things escalated.
Profar was hit by a pitch by Mackenzie Gore right after the scuffle. Padres manager Mike Schildt was ejected by the plate umpire as he complained about the lack of a warning for the Nationals pitcher.
But Profar eventually had the last laugh as he launched a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning to put some breathing space between the two teams, extending Padres' lead to 9-5. The home team held onto the score, winning the game 9-7 to claim a series victory.
Jurickson Profar's crucial performance amid all the drama in the first two games of the series had fans praising the Padres outfielder.
"This is literally a movie."
"It is just so damn weird seeing guys that should've performed like this way before...perform like it now. He is going absolutely insane," wrote a fan.
"People gotta stop firing this guy up and instigating stuff," urged a fan.
Fans also praised the atmosphere at Petco Park that witnessed back-to-back thrillers.
"Petco going crazy on a Tuesday night. Great environment/great fanbase," one fan said.
"This game is like a playoff level and playoff atmosphere," quipped a fan.
"It’s frickin HOT in Slam Diego," wrote a Padres fan.
Manny Machado & Jurickson Profar pumped after a dramatic start
Earlier in the game, Manny Machado responded to the benches clearing with a two-run home run in the first inning. Machado was greeted by a pumped Padres dugout, including Jurickson Profar.
Nationals All-Star Jesse Winker, who was seen arguing with a Padres fan after the first game, struck a two-run homer of his own to give his team the lead in the game.
However, Donovan Solano's two-run single in the fifth restored the lead for the home team and Profar's grand slam further put the game beyond the reach of the Nationals despite a late riposte.