{"id":661894,"date":"2026-04-04T01:07:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T01:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/661894\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T01:07:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T01:07:57","slug":"red-sox-take-on-padres-on-opening-day-at-fenway-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/661894\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox take on Padres on Opening Day at Fenway Park"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"paragraph | width_max_1080 railless gutter_20_0\">After two months of spring training and a six-game road trip to open the 2026 MLB season, the Red Sox returned to Boston on Friday for the first game of the season at Fenway Park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph | gutter_20_0 railless margin_horizontal_10 width_max_1080\">The Red Sox had a rough go in their first two series and only won one game, but got back on track in the friendly confines of their home ballpark and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonglobe.com\/2026\/04\/03\/sports\/red-sox-home-opener-padres\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.bostonglobe.com\/2026\/04\/03\/sports\/red-sox-home-opener-padres\/\">defeated the Padres, 5-2<\/a>. The series against the Padres continues on Saturday (4:10 p.m.) and Sunday (1:35 p.m.).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph | gutter_20_0 railless margin_horizontal_10 width_max_1080\">Here is a selection of images from Globe photographers at Friday\u2019s opener.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-RLGKWDVSHQIFDXJK6F322JLB2Y-image\" alt=\"Fans cheer as the Red Sox played the Padres.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/RLGKWDVSHQIFDXJK6F322JLB2Y.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Fans cheer as the Red Sox played the Padres.Erin Clark\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-BEX5GGGK6QZKVV2HVLXBXEU7DQ-image\" alt=\"Carlos Narvaez (left) and Marcelo Mayer celebrate Mayer&#x2019;s home run in the sixth inning.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/BEX5GGGK6QZKVV2HVLXBXEU7DQ.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Carlos Narvaez (left) and Marcelo Mayer celebrate Mayer\u2019s home run in the sixth inning.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-ESMQMHZZO5TDVV6BTQMFWV6YDA-image\" alt=\"Former Red Sox outfielder Tony Armas (far left) walks out with his teammates from the 1986 team as they&#x2019;re honored during the Opening Day ceremony.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ESMQMHZZO5TDVV6BTQMFWV6YDA.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Former Red Sox outfielder Tony Armas (far left) walks out with his teammates from the 1986 team as they\u2019re honored during the Opening Day ceremony.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-JFIEV5T5QRDFUQDFWWB2BYZE5M-image\" alt=\"Jameson Rivenburgh, 10, waves for a ball from the outfield wall.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/JFIEV5T5QRDFUQDFWWB2BYZE5M.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Jameson Rivenburgh, 10, waves for a ball from the outfield wall.Erin Clark\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-ILPD3X7BQBXKCSHUCSK4H3YVTI-image\" alt=\"Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth inning and earned a save.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ILPD3X7BQBXKCSHUCSK4H3YVTI.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth inning and earned a save.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-XQ6DJP7BSRVPYWGUDVAPV2TUXA-image\" alt=\"Shortstop Trevor Story throws to first base for an out in the fifth inning.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/XQ6DJP7BSRVPYWGUDVAPV2TUXA.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Shortstop Trevor Story throws to first base for an out in the fifth inning.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-3PBA2ALJVO637GZ4SHGAMYCPDA-image\" alt=\"Members of the 1986 Boston Red Sox walk onto the field for the Opening Day ceremony.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/3PBA2ALJVO637GZ4SHGAMYCPDA.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Members of the 1986 Boston Red Sox walk onto the field for the Opening Day ceremony.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-P2U6GJA2UMM7YUCSHZAUXO32A4-image\" alt=\"Hall of Famer Wade Boggs kisses the Geen Monster before being introduced with the other members of the AL champion 1986 Red Sox.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/P2U6GJA2UMM7YUCSHZAUXO32A4.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Hall of Famer Wade Boggs kisses the Geen Monster before being introduced with the other members of the AL champion 1986 Red Sox.Stan Grossfeld\/ Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-G2NY7K7N4ZTKJRC3MFAYNYSBPA-image\" alt=\"Marcelo Mayer home run eludes San Diego's Tatis Jr.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/G2NY7K7N4ZTKJRC3MFAYNYSBPA.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Marcelo Mayer home run eludes San Diego&#8217;s Tatis Jr.Stan Grossfeld\/ Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-Z6XTXXD3TLBFKAVXNYHD6ATN4Q-image\" alt=\"Fans walk up a ramp toward their seats.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Z6XTXXD3TLBFKAVXNYHD6ATN4Q.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Fans walk up a ramp toward their seats.Erin Clark\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-KJDK4BPSGPVPZ4VBIJYY72PN4E-image\" alt=\"Former Red Sox pitcher Bruce Hurst throws out the first pitch.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KJDK4BPSGPVPZ4VBIJYY72PN4E.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Former Red Sox pitcher Bruce Hurst throws out the first pitch.Stan Grossfeld\/ Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-T67PT4HUQ5TN34PFUT7K3ZQLRA-image\" alt=\"Former Red Sox pitcher Tony Armas walks on the field for the Opening Day ceremony.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/T67PT4HUQ5TN34PFUT7K3ZQLRA.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Former Red Sox pitcher Tony Armas walks on the field for the Opening Day ceremony.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-Y3GYHKW6SWV5L5F5JASGDXVYPE-image\" alt=\"Dede Forgione unloads balloons from a truck.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Y3GYHKW6SWV5L5F5JASGDXVYPE.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Dede Forgione unloads balloons from a truck.Finn Gomez for the Boston Globe<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-4I3LER7EHVJQ467GLXRKKKJYAY-image\" alt=\"Children watch as balloon art is made along the concourse.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4I3LER7EHVJQ467GLXRKKKJYAY.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Children watch as balloon art is made along the concourse.Erin Clark\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-4LVNUE2KHP4BOJOVOFERNLHW5U-image\" alt=\"Fans hold a giant American flag during the Opening Day ceremony.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4LVNUE2KHP4BOJOVOFERNLHW5U.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Fans hold a giant American flag during the Opening Day ceremony.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-IEWMSZHDYHWLQ7XDATFP54XSZU-image\" alt=\"Julian Pe&#xF1;a, 6, admires his face paint in a mirror before the Opening Day game.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IEWMSZHDYHWLQ7XDATFP54XSZU.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Julian Pe\u00f1a, 6, admires his face paint in a mirror before the Opening Day game.Erin Clark\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-HI3O55CQ3TQLSQT3JR3UR6BQUQ-image\" alt=\"Red Sox manager Alex Cora signs autographs for young fans before the game.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HI3O55CQ3TQLSQT3JR3UR6BQUQ.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Red Sox manager Alex Cora signs autographs for young fans before the game.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-QKSXGPNHW5EJZHI2POI3R4U4AE-image\" alt=\"Twins Tyler and Taylor Gonick, 11, of New Jersey play catch with their father before Opening Day at Fenway Park.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/QKSXGPNHW5EJZHI2POI3R4U4AE.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Twins Tyler and Taylor Gonick, 11, of New Jersey play catch with their father before Opening Day at Fenway Park.Finn Gomez for the Boston Globe<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-WUEJDW2HQS26RLBO3JJIRKS4PI-image\" alt=\"Justin Pothier waits for the first pitch inside the Green Monster.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/WUEJDW2HQS26RLBO3JJIRKS4PI.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Justin Pothier waits for the first pitch inside the Green Monster.Stan Grossfeld\/ Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-XAJ55WBDYYUKWHJBKK7ONJDAU4-image\" alt=\"The Fenway Park field crew prepare the field before the home opener.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/XAJ55WBDYYUKWHJBKK7ONJDAU4.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>The Fenway Park field crew prepare the field before the home opener.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-IW3KBFDP6M26PVPP3IOR63NFOM-image\" alt=\"Pitcher Garrett Crochet walks onto the field before the opener at Fenway Park.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IW3KBFDP6M26PVPP3IOR63NFOM.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Pitcher Garrett Crochet walks onto the field before the opener at Fenway Park.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-D3FLDZPH2GPKFWVN66UCML663U-image\" alt=\"Fans stand for the national anthem.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/D3FLDZPH2GPKFWVN66UCML663U.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Fans stand for the national anthem.Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-UWG3IWVIOKOZIEQGPUAEK3WZTY-image\" alt=\"The Red Sox won the game.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/UWG3IWVIOKOZIEQGPUAEK3WZTY.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>The Red Sox won the game.Erin Clark\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-KUOCE6CZPI7SLLQBVDD3NTQKHE-image\" alt=\"Mark Notaro, 3, eats a hot dog along Lansdowne Street.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KUOCE6CZPI7SLLQBVDD3NTQKHE.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Mark Notaro, 3, eats a hot dog along Lansdowne Street.Erin Clark\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-3CT36NUX2PHNAH57S4CRWSHDWU-image\" alt=\"Sly Egidio of East Boston hollers &#x201C;programs for sale&#x201D; outside of Fenway Park. Sly&#x2019;s first opening day was 1992 as an employee of the magazine, and he now owns the company. Sly said, &#x201C;Anytime they get a ring, that&#x2019;s the best opening day.&#x201D;\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/3CT36NUX2PHNAH57S4CRWSHDWU.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Sly Egidio of East Boston hollers \u201cprograms for sale\u201d outside of Fenway Park. Sly\u2019s first opening day was 1992 as an employee of the magazine, and he now owns the company. Sly said, \u201cAnytime they get a ring, that\u2019s the best opening day.\u201dFinn Gomez for the Boston Globe<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-7RYCYFFPWL4TAZ5OXRR6TQICQE-image\" alt=\"A large sausage shaped character promoting the movie &quot;Balls Up&quot; takes photos with fans outside of Fenway Park.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7RYCYFFPWL4TAZ5OXRR6TQICQE.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>A large sausage shaped character promoting the movie &#8220;Balls Up&#8221; takes photos with fans outside of Fenway Park.Finn Gomez for the Boston Globe<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-MWXAU2LUYTXO337JS7LQEB2IBA-image\" alt=\"&#x201C;Big League Brian,&#x201D; a stilt walker, entertains fans along Lansdowne Street.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MWXAU2LUYTXO337JS7LQEB2IBA.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>\u201cBig League Brian,\u201d a stilt walker, entertains fans along Lansdowne Street.Erin Clark\/Globe Staff<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-3FPJUZNKR4IUTILEXQO2KTZW2Y-image\" alt=\"Travis Gonick, 44, and his sons, TJ, 14; Tyler, 11; and Taylor, 11, all of New Jersey, pose for a portrait. &#x201C;We&#x2019;re here every year, since they were kids,&#x201D; Travis said. \" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/3FPJUZNKR4IUTILEXQO2KTZW2Y.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Travis Gonick, 44, and his sons, TJ, 14; Tyler, 11; and Taylor, 11, all of New Jersey, pose for a portrait. \u201cWe\u2019re here every year, since they were kids,\u201d Travis said. Finn Gomez for the Boston Globe<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"img-LJVC4IHKBQ6UJC4CTFXB65XX3Q-image\" alt=\"Fenway Station on the way to Fenway Park.\" class=\"height_a width_full invisible width_full--mobile width_full--tablet-only\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LJVC4IHKBQ6UJC4CTFXB65XX3Q.JPG\"  loading=\"lazy\"\/>Fenway Station on the way to Fenway Park.Finn Gomez for the Boston Globe<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagline | font_primary inline_block margin_horizontal_10 margin_top_32\"> Stan Grossfeld can be reached at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonglobe.com\/2026\/04\/03\/sports\/fenway-park-opening-day-pictures-red-sox-padres\/mailto:stanley.grossfeld@globe.com\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:inherit;letter-spacing:.5px\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">stanley.grossfeld@globe.com<\/a>. Finn Gomez can be reached at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonglobe.com\/2026\/04\/03\/sports\/fenway-park-opening-day-pictures-red-sox-padres\/mailto:finn.gomez@globe.com\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:inherit;letter-spacing:.5px\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">finn.gomez@globe.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After two months of spring training and a six-game road trip to open the 2026 MLB season, the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":661895,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2375],"tags":[5,141,48,2542,1350,4,89,2543,18],"class_list":{"0":"post-661894","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-boston-red-sox","8":"tag-baseball","9":"tag-boston","10":"tag-boston-red-sox","11":"tag-bostonredsox","12":"tag-fenway-park","13":"tag-mlb","14":"tag-red-sox","15":"tag-redsox","16":"tag-san-diego-padres"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116343769973261015","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661894","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=661894"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661894\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/661895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=661894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=661894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=661894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}