San Diego Padres in dugout (Photo via X/Twitter)
The San Diego Padres couldn’t contain their anger after falling to the Chicago Cubs in the decisive third game of the NL Wild Card Series on Thursday evening.

Trailing 3-0 in the top of the ninth inning, Jackson Merrill got the Padres on the board with a solo shot into the right field seats. All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts then stepped up to the plate, with the tying runner standing beside him in the on-deck circle.

After working a 3-2 count, Bogaerts was run up for strike three by home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn on a pitch that was well outside the strike zone. The next two Padres reached base, but the rall ended with Jake Cronenworth grounding out and Freddy Fermin flying out to center field.

Here’s a video of the controversial call by Reyburn:

After the game, cameras caught San Diego Padres coaches and players getting into a furious confrontation with the umpires as they made their way to the locker room. And boy, did it look like it was about to turn physical:

The one positive is that MLB will introduce the ABS Challenge System in 2026, so teams will have the option to challenge egregious game-changing calls, such as the third strike on Xander Bogaerts.

San Diego Padres’ Bats Fell Short When It Mattered Most

Xander Bogaerts (Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images)
It’s easy for the San Diego Padres, coaches and fans to put the blame on the umpires, but at the end of the day, this high-powered lineup failed to deliver when it mattered most.

Fernando Tatís Jr. and Luis Arráez each went 0-for-4 in Game 3, with the former striking out three times. Veteran All-Star Manny Machado reached base on a walk, but was otherwise quiet with no hits.

You’re best players have to be your best players on the grandest stages. The Padres’ key players failed to step up, and it’s simply not the umpires’ fault that this potent lineup mustered just one run with the season on the line.

Another long winter awaits in San Diego, where GM AJ Preller will be tasked with adding more game-changers to a strong roster that hasn’t been able to get over the playoff hump.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.