The first rhythmic notes of “Beat L.A.” echoed through an empty Petco Park at 6:12 p.m. Monday. Joc Pederson’s first-pitch homer clanged off the seats in left-center moments later, a reminder that the road through the Dodgers to a return to the postseason would not be easy.
Chris Paddack wasn’t the only one who answered.
Trent Grisham, Wil Myers and Fernando Tatis Jr. backed Paddack’s first quality start against the Dodgers with solo homers off Walker Buehler and San Diego’s bullpen outdueled Los Angeles’ in a 5-4 victory to renew the most important rivalry on the Padres’ schedule.