The San Diego Padres are clinging to their postseason dreams after a hard-fought 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday night at Petco Park.
The win keeps their faint hopes of hosting the National League Wild Card series alive. The task ahead is steep — the Padres must win their final two games, while the Chicago Cubs have to lose both of theirs to the Cardinals.
Friday’s game was a mashup of clutch hitting, shaky bullpen moments, and dominant closing. Honestly, it felt like a snapshot of this rollercoaster season for San Diego.
Darvish Delivers in His Regular Season Finale
Veteran right-hander Yu Darvish brought some much-needed stability on the mound. He gave San Diego exactly what they needed to set the tone in a must-win game.
In what might be his last outing before the postseason, Darvish went five innings. He allowed just two solo home runs and struck out four.
Keeping the Diamondbacks in Check
Darvish made sure Arizona didn’t break the game open early. The Diamondbacks managed to score twice off long balls, but Darvish mixed his pitches well and kept hitters guessing.
He handed the ball to the bullpen with a lead still intact. That’s all you can really ask for in a spot like this.
Offensive Sparks: O’Hearn and Tatis Jr. Lead the Charge
The Padres’ offense stayed quiet through the first three innings. In the fourth, Ryan O’Hearn broke through with an RBI single, scoring Xander Bogaerts and setting the stage for the night’s biggest moment.
Tatis Jr.’s Grand Slam Changes the Game
Just back from illness, Fernando Tatis Jr. reminded everyone why he’s one of baseball’s most electrifying players. With the bases loaded against Zac Gallen, Tatis launched a grand slam, putting the Padres ahead 5-2 and sending Petco Park into a frenzy.
Late-Inning Drama in the Bullpen
The eighth inning almost unraveled everything for San Diego. Kyle Hart and David Morgan combined to walk five batters, basically handing Arizona two runs and cutting the lead to 6-4.
The nervous energy was real. The Diamondbacks threatened to spoil the Padres’ postseason hopes right then and there.
Mason Miller Shuts the Door
Then Mason Miller came in — and brought the heat. He fired a 101-mph fastball to overpower Jorge Barrosa and stop the rally cold.
Miller returned in the ninth, striking out two more hitters to secure the save. That officially knocked the Diamondbacks out of playoff contention.
Insurance Run from Jackson Merrill
Before Miller iced the game, rookie Jackson Merrill gave the Padres a little breathing room. His RBI single in the bottom of the eighth pushed the lead to 7-4.
That extra run made a difference, letting the closer work with a bit less pressure.
What’s Next for the Padres?
With two games left, the Padres’ hosting hopes hinge not just on their own performance but also on the Cubs stumbling against the Cardinals.
The equation’s simple:
- The Padres must win their final two games.
- The Cubs must lose both of theirs.
Pitching Plans for the Wild Card Series
If the Padres somehow secure home-field advantage, Nick Pivetta will get the ball for Game 1 of the Wild Card series. Behind him, Yu Darvish, Michael King, Dylan Cease, and Randy Vasquez are all possible options for the next games, depending on matchups and rest days.
Saturday’s Crucial Matchup
Next up, Michael King gets the start Saturday against Eduardo Rodriguez of Arizona. Padres fans will have more than one eye on their own team — the earlier Cubs vs. Cardinals result could decide whether hosting the Wild Card series is even on the table.
Final Thoughts
The Padres’ season has really been about resilience. Friday night’s contest? Honestly, it captured that grit better than words usually can.
Darvish showed off his veteran poise. Tatis Jr. delivered a game-changing blast, while Miller closed things out with an overpowering finish.
This win keeps their hopes alive—barely, but still alive. No matter where they play in the postseason, the Padres know they’ve got to finish strong and try to ride this momentum into October.
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