LOS ANGELES – Yu Darvish tapped the “PS” patch on his uniform then got to work on an inspired performance.

Yet despite his best efforts, Darvish’s outstanding outing in memory of late San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler wasn’t enough to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.

With the Padres’ offense dormant, the Dodgers cruised to a 2-0 victory in the deciding Game 5 of their NL Division Series. Less than a week after fate seemed to be steering San Diego into the next round, the Padres returned home to reflect on what happened and develop a plan for next season.

“Obviously it’s a big game and you’re given the ball to throw in these big games and for me it was about wanting to do that for Peter Seidler,” Darvish said via a performer after allowing two home runs on three hits. he allowed in 6 2/3 innings. “Unfortunately the match went the way it did, so there is some disappointment.”

Seidler, who died in November at age 63, would have been proud. Yet the mood in the Padres clubhouse after the final game of the season was one of dissatisfaction for what could have been.

After a disappointing 2023, the Padres traded Juan Soto to the New York Yankees and opted not to re-sign NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. However, they were much improved behind right-hander Dylan Cease, who arrived from the Chicago White Sox.

Rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill fits in well with the offensive-minded Padres, and Jurickson Profar had his best season in his 11th year in the big leagues. Fernando Tatis Jr., who missed all of 2022 with a wrist injury and PED suspension, returned in All-Star form this year.

The Padres even got the better of the Dodgers to win the season series, but couldn’t finish the NLDS as they lost the final two games. San Diego hasn’t scored in the last 24 innings.

“We didn’t hit and score a few runs,” slugger Manny Machado said. “They did a tremendous job on the other side, on the pitching side. You must give credit where credit is due. We just couldn’t keep up the successes. We had a few opportunities, we couldn’t pass and we failed.”

Tatis hit two home runs in a Game 2 win and another in a Game 3 win, but he couldn’t get past the Dodgers from there.

“It was definitely a special group. I love every guy in this clubhouse,” Tatis said. “Man, I enjoyed my time this year with this group. I am grateful to each of them for the way they treated me. Everyone worked with open arms. I really love this group.

Darvish then spoke quietly in the corner of the clubhouse. He pitched well, but there was one moment he will remember most.

“Touching the patch means feeling Peter a little closer to you, right?” he said. “It’s something that was designed by his daughter, so it makes a lot of sense.”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB