SAN DIEGO — Jake Cronenworth and the San Diego Padres kept hope alive for their city, securing a 4-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park on Tuesday, October 6.
This victory not only prolongs the Padres’ season but also ensures the Brewers will remain in San Diego for Game 4.
Cronenworth and the Padres are optimistic about how this win could influence their chances in the next game as they look to even the series.
“I think it can carry over,” Cronenworth said. “We’ve faced tough situations for much of the season, constantly having our backs against the wall and battling since before the trade deadline just to stay in it. No team is more battle-tested than us right now.”
In Game 3, Cronenworth played a key offensive role, going 2-for-2 and hitting a crucial home run that helped San Diego reclaim the lead. His 368-foot blast to right field came in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Despite the Brewers’ efforts, the Padres held onto the lead for the rest of the game.
So far, each game in this best-of-five series has been decided by just one run.
“They’ve been fantastic games,” Cronenworth said. “Runs have been hard to come by, especially given how the bullpens have performed. Scoring early is great, but you need to add some insurance runs. Xander Bogaerts delivered a huge hit and a stolen base, which gave us that breathing room.”
Bogaerts’ run in the sixth inning, scored on a Brewers’ error, proved vital in extending the Padres’ lead to 4-2. He ended the night 1-for-3 at the plate.
Ty France acknowledged the challenge posed by their opponents: “We know what we’re up against with those guys. They’re a really strong team and won’t give up easily. We played a solid game and it required a full team effort — exactly what you expect.”
The Padres also relied on pitcher Michael King to protect their narrow advantage in the eighth inning after closer Mason Miller was unexpectedly unavailable. King was called out of the bullpen despite having pitched just five innings on Sunday, where he had an impressive outing with six strikeouts and only one earned run.
Miller was placed on the postseason paternity list when his wife went into labor, and his availability for Game 4 remained uncertain after Tuesday’s game.
Walker Buehler, recently returning from the paternity list, is slated to start Game 4, Padres manager Craig Stammen confirmed.
“We’re going to keep grinding, no matter what,” said Fernando Tatis Jr., reflecting the team’s resilient mindset as they prepare for the next challenge.
Game 4 between the Padres and Brewers is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET) at Petco Park.
Fan Take: This thrilling win highlights the Padres’ relentless spirit, making this postseason series a must-watch for baseball fans craving intense, close competition. It underscores how resilience and clutch performances can define playoff baseball, promising an exciting path forward for the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
