Triple the fun! Padres clinch postseason on triple play vs. Dodgers
Sep 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres and right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrate the victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers and postseason berth at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
San Diego Padres advance to the postseason for first time since 2022 thanks to a triple-play to end the game
The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers met at Chavez Ravine for the series opener. In what is the biggest series of the season to date, the Padres were able to take Game 1, 4-2. Jake Cronenworth had a huge offensive game, Jurickson Profar flashed the leather, and the pitching led by Michael King dominated. It all ended with a defensive play for the ages.
Manny Machado started a triple-play to end the game in what ended up being a wild finish. They are the first team in MLB history to clinch a postseason due to the triple-play.
THE PADRES ARE THE FIRST TEAM IN MLB HISTORY TO TURN A TRIPLE PLAY TO END A GAME ON THE DAY THEY CLINCHED A POSTSEASON BERTH
h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/Xv5aG6CAm9
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 25, 2024
“What a way to do it man, you gotta be kidding me,” manager Mike Shildt said postgame about the way they clinched. “What a play by Manny, ballin’ out.”
The Padres won a game they needed to win and it was exciting all the way to the finish. They improve to 91-66 which puts them two games behind the Dodgers for first place in the NL West. LA falls to 93-64.
Shildt was also asked what he is most proud of about this group from start to finish this season.
“The dedication to greatness as a collective group,” he said. “You know, everybody decided even before Spring Training that (clinching the postseason) was something we were going to get after in every aspect. The staff has been phenomenal, the players have been tremendous, and the heart and the compete to win.”
The Dodgers wasted no time getting on the board early as Shohei Ohtani blasted a first-pitch ground-rule double into the stands, followed by an error from Xander Bogaerts to score him. Mookie Betts hit a routine grounder right at Bogaerts and the fans got another souvenir as he threw the ball over the head of Donovan Solano into the stands. Cronenworth then ended the inning by catching Betts trying to score on a fake steal attempt. This would propel the second baseman to a huge game.
The Friars responded right away as Cronenworth hit a two-run home run scoring Jackson Merrill to take a 2-1 lead.
INTO THE CRONE ZONE 🌀 pic.twitter.com/LbEzR9SQTQ
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 25, 2024
That was Cronenworth’s first home run and RBI of September. It came in a big moment.
The top of the second inning proved to be a big one. King saw himself in a bases-loaded jam but K’d up Betts to end the inning without allowing a run. The former Yankee is one of the top pitchers in the MLB in getting out of jams. He is currently 4th in the MLB with a .185 opponent average with runners in scoring position.
In the top of the 4th, Bogaerts would make up for his error with a two-out RBI single to score Profar. San Diego was not done yet. Cronenworth stepped up to the plate and continued his great game with an RBI double to score Bogaerts. Cronenworth hit his second extra-base hit of September, his first was the homer in the second inning.
The Friars jumped out to a 4-1 lead and that would be the last run of the contest for them.
Adrian Morejon replaced King to begin the bottom of the 6th. He allowed a bloop hit to Max Muncy and walked Will Smith to put two on with two out. Shildt then walked out and replaced him with Jeremiah Estrada. The right-hander needed just one pitch as Tommy Edman popped out to Bogaerts to retire the side.
Edgardo Rodriguez made his Major League debut for the Dodgers to begin the 7th. He would go on to strikeout Solano and Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tanner Scott had a clean 7th inning and Jason Adam followed up with the same. Profar robbed the Dodgers of their second hit of the evening with his second diving catch. The first took a hit away from Ohtani.
Jurickson Profar with ANOTHER incredible diving grab! pic.twitter.com/EZSJ1sbkkN
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2024
The Padres then went to Robert Suarez to close the game. After allowing three straight hits and a run, Miguel Rojas grounded into a triple-play to end the game.
The 9th inning could have been a disaster for the Padres, instead, they win and advance to the postseason.
Wednesday night they take on the Dodgers for Game 2. Dylan Cease (14-11) will take on Jake Flaherty (13-7).
Michael King
With the way this contest started, you would not have expected King to complete five innings allowing just one run. King battled back in a big way. His resurgence helped put the Padres in a position to win the game. The only run scored on him was allowed due to the Bogaerts error.
His final line: 5.0 innings, three hits, zero earned runs, two walks, three K’s in a win.
Knack came off a great outing against the Miami Marlins but did not have his stuff against the Friars. He allowed four runs in four innings including his 13th long ball of the season.
His final line: 4.0 innings, five hits, four earned runs, one walks, four K’s in a loss.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.