Sports

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<p>Now that Californians are transitioning back into their pre-pandemic recreational activities, a local community of soccer players is back to playing pick-up games throughout San Diego.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over 50 soccer aficionados of all ages and skill levels gathered at historic Chicano Park for the first time in 18 months to play fast-paced pick up games as cars zoomed above the action on the Coronado Bridge-Interstate 5 exchange lanes.</p>

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<p>The San Diego Padres won their season opener 8 to 7 against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first game with fans – although limited- since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year.</p>
<p>Seating was limited to no more than 10,000 out of Petco Park’s 42,691 seats but the crowd still erupted when first baseman Eric Hosmer hit the season’s first home run in the third inning of the game. Hosmer had three hits and drove in three runs.</p>

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<p>The San Diego Padres set a record by hitting a grand slam in four consecutive games, something no team has ever done in the 144 years of professional baseball.</p>
<p>The hitting streak started on Monday when 21 year-old Fernando Tatis, Jr hit his first-ever grand slam, followed by Wil Myers’ grand slam on Tuesday, and Manny Machado’s four run homer on Wednesday.</p>

After only a smattering of games into a 60-game season, the Padres reside in the penthouse of the NL West, and although they are likely just warming the seat for the Dodgers, the view isn’t bad from the top.
With two goals scored by Lorenzo Ramirez Jr. and a single goal scored Billy Garton, 1904 FC celebrated its historic home opener against the Irvine-based Cal United Strikers with the club’s first ever victory.