This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The San Diego Padres opened a game at Petco Park to full capacity for the first time in 630 days when they faced the Cincinnati Reds Thursday at what the team billed “San Diego’s Opening Day.”

Capacity had been limited at Petco Park this season because of restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic imposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, and fans were prohibited from Petco Park during the coronavirus-delayed and shortened 2020 season.

Statewide restrictions were lifted Tuesday, allowing the Padres to host “San Diego’s Opening Day” at full capacity.

Thursday night, pregame ceremonies included the Padres and Petco honoring 4,000 front-line workers, 275 uniformed personnel from Navy Region Southwest unfurling the American flag and a flyover by F/A-18 Hornets from MCAS Miramar.

The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Nancy Yam, director of acute care pharmacy services for UC San Diego Health. A fireworks show follows the game.

Right-hander Joe Musgrove (4-6) will pitch for the Padres, while left- hander Wade Miley (6-4) will start for the Reds in a rare matchup of pitchers who have thrown no-hitters in the same season.

Musgrove is 2-6 since pitching the Padres’ first no-hitter April 9, including losing his last two decisions.

Miley is 2-2 since pitching a no-hitter May 7 against Cleveland, winning his last two decisions.

The Padres have lost seven of their last eight games to drop to third in the National League West, six games behind the division-leading San Francisco Giants.

With near-capacity crowds expected at Petco Park for the remainder of the season, the Metropolitan Transit System will increase the frequency of its trolley service, with trolleys serving all stations every seven to 15 minutes most of the day.

Copyright 2021, City News Service, Inc.