Padres host Dodgers and Athletics for Fifth Homestand

SAN DIEGO - The Padres return home from their two-city seven-game road trip for a five-game homestand featuring a weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, followed by the first two games of a home-and-home interleague series against the Oakland Athletics. Highlights of the homestand include Summer Sky Blast following the game on Saturday, June 13 and U.S. Army and Army National Guard Appreciation Day presented by USAA on Sunday, June 14.

With large crowds expected for the upcoming weekend series vs. the Dodgers, fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early to Petco Park with Park at the Park gates opening 2 ½ hours prior to first pitch. Guests can pre-purchase parking online at www.padres.com/transportation to guarantee their spot in a Padres-preferred lot at a discounted rate. To avoid further traffic delays, fans without pre-sold parking permits should consider utilizing public transportation.

Party in the Park presented by Southwest Airlines is back prior to tonight's game. As San Diego's biggest happy hour, Party in the Park will feature $5 food and drink specials at Park at the Park starting at 5:00 p.m. Entry is included with a paid ticket to that night's game.

Party in the Park entertainment will be provided by multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated rock band P.O.D (Payable on Death). The band will perform on the Park at the Park stage beginning at 6:10 p.m. The San Diego natives will celebrate the release of their new single, "This Goes Out To You." The band will release their ninth studio album, 'The Awakening', on August 21 and will be on tour throughout the summer with confirmed shows in more than 25 U.S. cities.

Please note Saturday night's 7:10 p.m. start time. Following the conclusion of Saturday night's game against the Dodgers, fans will be treated to an 80's-themed Summer Sky Blast, the biggest postgame fireworks show of the season. The show will begin a few minutes after the last out and is open to anyone with a paid ticket to that night's game.

Military Appreciation Sundays continue this weekend with U.S. Army and Army National Guard Appreciation Day presented by USAA. Prior to the game, 80 U.S. Army and CA Army National Guard soldiers will line the bases for a special pregame ceremony. The ceremony will also feature a birthday cake cutting ceremony in commemoration of the 240^th birthday of the U.S. Army, and nine members consisting of U.S. Army and California Army National Guard soldiers will take the field with the Padres' starting nine at their respective positions as part of Military Takes the Field presented by USAA. Additionally, more than 50 future U.S. Army soldiers will be participate in a swear-in ceremony led by U.S. Army Southern California Recruiting Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Michael Johns.

The National Anthem on Sunday will be performed by the CA Army National Guard 40^th Infantry Band. CA Army National Guard Capt. Thomas Touw will sing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch.

CA Army National Guard Col. Peter Cross, a three-time Iraq veteran, will throw Sunday's Ceremonial First Pitch. Cross' pitch will be caught by his nephew, Padres outfielder Will Venable.

Prior to all Sunday home games, from 11:30 a.m. to noon, Padres players will sign autographs at the Park at the Park for Compadres Kids Sunday Signings. A Compadres Kids membership is required to participate in the signing event. Membership is free, and kids can sign up online or in-person on the day of the event.

KidsFest at the Park returns Sunday, featuring bounce houses and other inflatables, games, face painters, balloon artists, and more kid-friendly activities every Sunday at Park at the Park.

Prior to Monday's series opener against the A's, the Padres will honor the third recipient of the 2015 Hispanic Heritage Comunidad Awards. The Hispanic Heritage Comunidad Awards recognize and pay tribute to individuals or organizations making a positive impact on San Diego's Hispanic community. Alex Rejto, a junior at Canyon Crest Academy, will receive the award in the area of PLAY (youth fitness) for his efforts in establishing and running the La Costa Canyon Youth Organization (LCYO) Champions League. The LCYO Champions League provides children with special needs the opportunity to play baseball by partnering them with a Buddy (an older volunteer play).

In support of the Padres Foundation's community vision, four awards will be given throughout the year, one each in the areas of children's health (LIVE), children's education (LEARN), youth baseball/ softball or youth fitness (PLAY) and supporting our law enforcement and military communities (SERVE). To submit a nomination, visit www.padresbeisbol.com/comunidad.

Sixteen members from FIRST, an all-High School Robotics Club, will be joined by their robot to throw Monday's Ceremonial First Pitch.

Every Tuesday home game is Taco Tuesday presented by Cholula Hot Sauce, featuring pollo asado street tacos priced at five for $5 at select locations around Petco Park.  

Tickets for all home games can be purchased online at www.padres.com, by phone at 619.795.5555, at the Petco Park box office and at the Padres Store in Tijuana.