In a thrilling showdown, the San Diego Padres triumphed over the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2, featuring a jaw-dropping triple play in the ninth inning that clinched their playoff berth for the third time in five seasons. This victory adds yet another dramatic chapter to the fierce rivalry between these two teams.
With this win, the Padres have surged up the NL West Division standings, narrowing the gap to just two games behind the Dodgers with only five games remaining in the regular season. Notably, there are still two matchups left between the Padres and Dodgers, setting the stage for a potential dramatic conclusion to the season.
San Diego has dominated the season series, winning eight of 11 matchups against Los Angeles. Should the two teams end the regular season tied after Game 162, the Padres would secure the division title due to their superior head-to-head record.
The game began with the Dodgers taking an early lead, capitalizing on a throwing error by Xander Bogaerts on a ground ball from Mookie Betts while Shohei Ohtani was on second base. However, the Padres quickly turned the tide with a powerful two-run homer from Jake Cronenworth in the second inning.
Building on their momentum, the Padres added two more runs in the fourth inning to extend their lead to 4-1. The San Diego bullpen held firm against the Dodgers’ lineup until the final moments of the game. Closer Robert Suarez faced challenges in the ninth, allowing three consecutive hits, which led to a Dodgers run.
However, with Miguel Rojas at the plate, chaos ensued. Rojas hit a grounder to third base, where Manny Machado made a crucial play. He stepped on third, then threw to second on a relay from Jake Cronenworth to Donovan Solano at first, completing the triple play and sealing the victory for the Padres.
Now, with their playoff spot secured, the Padres are poised to attempt a sweep of the Dodgers, which could grant them control of the NL West as the regular season draws to a close.