Padres Brewers – As the Padres and Brewers clash in the postseason, complex personal loyalties and the sting of season-ending injuries define the atmosphere at Petco Park.
The ghost of San Diego’s 1998 World Series run still lingers in the halls of Petco Park. embodied by the man who won 17 games that year and helped build the ballpark’s foundation. Andy Ashby spent eight of his 14 major-league seasons in San Diego, a legacy that usually guarantees hometown favor. But this week, the family loyalty sits in the visitors’ dugout.
His nephew, 28-year-old left-hander Aaron Ashby, is currently a key arm in the Milwaukee bullpen. Before Game 3. the younger Ashby acknowledged his uncle’s historical ties to San Diego but was firm on where the family support lies. “He’s obviously had a huge part when he was playing here. but I think he’s in my corner right now. ” Aaron said.
It has been a long road for the younger Ashby. While his uncle entered the league as an undrafted free agent. Aaron was a fourth-round pick in 2018 out of Crowder College. After working his way up as a Brewers prospect, he lost his entire 2023 season to shoulder surgery. He has since returned to contribute 184 ⅓ innings over the last three years with a 2.73 ERA, largely in relief. That experience proved vital in the opening two games of the series. where he threw 2 ⅔ scoreless innings and struck out two. helping a Milwaukee unit limit the Padres to just one unearned run over nine innings.
“I think any time you go into the postseason. you know the bullpens are going to be used. ” Aaron Ashby said. “You try and stop momentum from the other team when it seems to be going their way. We know that coming in. Any time I can contribute and try and throw every game, you always feel good about that.”.
For Luis Rengifo, the view from the home dugout is far more painful. Walking out during Tuesday’s batting practice. the infielder spent the session reconnecting with the Milwaukee teammates he started his season with. including Jackson Chourio and Gary Sánchez. Rengifo’s journey has been a whirlwind: he signed a $3.5 million deal for 2026 with Milwaukee. only to be released mid-summer after hitting .205/.280/.254 across 57 games. He found a rhythm with the Padres. hitting .291/.375/.409 in 38 games and even smashing a grand slam during an August sweep of his former club.
His season abruptly ended in Tampa due to a knee injury. forcing him to watch this postseason run from the sidelines. “It’s a little tough for me because for me I want to be on the field all the time and just play for my teammates and fight every single night. ” Rengifo said. “It’s really hard … but I support my guys.”.
Meanwhile, the health of the Padres roster remains a focus. Catcher Luis Campusano is cleared to play after a hand injury caused a scare in Game 1. A ball off the knob of his bat forced X-rays. and the concern was high enough that Ethan Salas was scratched as the designated hitter in case a mid-game substitution was needed for Sunday’s matchup. “He’s good to go,” manager Craig Stammen said. “It was just a bruise; that was a day game after a night game that just didn’t heal as quickly as he thought. He probably forgot about it overnight and then woke up and swung a bat. and was like. oh. that doesn’t feel as good. But as we saw, he played in the game, was just fine. The workout Monday was good to go also.”.
Additional lineup adjustments saw DH Gavin Sheets scratched with a stiff neck, with Samad Taylor stepping into his spot. Sheets remained available off the bench. Amidst the injuries and roster shuffling. the atmosphere remained electric as a crowd of 47. 708—the third largest in Petco Park history—watched Padres Hall of Famer Jake Peavy toss the ceremonial first pitch to pitcher Joe Musgrove. both sporting their No. 44 jerseys.
Padres Brewers Aaron Ashby Luis Rengifo Petco Park MLB Postseason