SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres demonstrated their determination to extend their postseason run with a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Right-hander Michael King, who had started the previous game just two days earlier, emerged from the bullpen in a high-pressure eighth inning at Petco Park, highlighting the Padres’ commitment to fighting for their season.
The series has been characterized by intense competition, with all three games thus far decided by just one run. These playoffs have seen exceptional moments, extraordinary performances, and pivotal plays, making every game a nail-biter. Following this victory, the Padres have narrowed Milwaukee’s lead in the best-of-five series to 2-1.
Jake Cronenworth’s tiebreaking home run was a key moment in the game, while King finished strong, pitching two innings on just one day of rest. San Diego’s victory means they avoided elimination and kept their hopes alive for another day of playoff baseball.
“It feels like we’ve played three straight games against the Brewers like that,” said Padres manager Craig Stammen. “We finally were able to come out on the right end of things in this one. A lot of big effort from a lot of guys during the game to get us to the final score.”
Xander Bogaerts, who scored the Padres’ fourth run with a hustling play in the sixth inning, capped off a stellar defensive performance with a game-ending double play at shortstop. This series marks the first time since the 2021 National League Championship Series that three consecutive playoff games have been decided by just one run.
“Can’t do much about the first two games, but all three games have been really good baseball,” Bogaerts commented. “Once tomorrow comes, let’s go for it, but right now let’s enjoy this one, because this was a really good one.”
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Petco Park, and if necessary, a decisive Game 5 will take place back in Milwaukee on Friday.
The Padres had to navigate this critical game without star closer Mason Miller, who was placed on the paternity list shortly before the game. Additionally, top setup man Adrian Morejon was sidelined due to shoulder issues. Despite these setbacks, King rose to the occasion, showcasing his resilience and determination in a high-pressure situation.
King’s performance was crucial, especially in a tense ninth inning where he faced a challenging lineup. He retired four of his first five batters but encountered some trouble with walks to William Contreras and Brice Turang. The game concluded with a highlight-reel play from Bogaerts, who made a diving stop on a line drive from Christian Yelich, leading to a game-ending double play.
“I know that I have bullets in my arm that I don’t want to save,” King stated. “If you’re in an elimination game, you want everybody to be all in on it, and … we have a bunch of dogs down there that are all in.” This marked King’s first save of the postseason and an impressive achievement in his young career.
The Padres had previously swept the Chicago Cubs and won 19 of their last 22 games before facing the Brewers, making their two recent losses even more painful.
For the Brewers, Contreras had a standout performance with a home run and three hits, but the team faced difficulties, marking their 12th consecutive postseason road loss dating back to the 2018 NLCS. Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the challenges faced against a strong Padres team, stating, “When you’re facing a good team with a good pitching staff, that’s part of it. We didn’t get the big hit at the big time, but do you fault Yelly for hitting one 107 there and Bogaerts making a great play? They’ve got a great team, and they played great defense tonight.”
The game was characterized by a tense atmosphere, with both starting pitchers facing challenges. Nick Pivetta for the Padres and Dustin May for the Brewers had to navigate through difficult innings, with both teams trading runs and opportunities to score.
Looking ahead, Walker Buehler is set to start for the Padres in Game 4, while the Brewers have yet to announce their starting pitcher. This matchup promises to be another thrilling chapter in this closely contested playoff series.
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A previous version of this story corrected that King started Game 2, not Game 1.
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