Padres stay alive in NLDS with Game 3 win against Brewers, 4-3
Credit: Yahoo Sports
The San Diego Padres returned to Petco Park to play Game 3 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers
The Padres had their backs against the wall. They trailed 0-2 in the series against the Brew Crew heading into the game.
Before the game began, destruction ensued. Mason Miller was confirmed unavailable this homestand, landing on the paternity list.
Padres have placed Mason Miller on the paternity list. Wandy Peralta has been added.
— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) October 7, 2026
With that in mind, Stammen wouldn’t have access to his most dangerous bullpen weapon. However, Michael King was confirmed available out of the bullpen. A role he’s no stranger to, given he spent the beginning of his career as a reliever.
The night’s pitching matchup featured Nick Pivetta, who pitched game two of the Wild Card, and Dustin May for the Brewers.
Since returning from the IL, Pivetta hasn’t been in a losing game for the Padres. Meanwhile, Dustin May has been a thorn in the Padres’ side all season long. He’s pitched 16 innings against the Padres this year, surrendering one run, five hits and three walks.
To begin, Nick Pivetta and Dustin May traded scoreless frames until the third.
Samad Taylor lined a single to left center field and stole second, putting himself in scoring position. Jake Cronenworth laid down a bunt to advance Taylor to third, and Fernando Tatis Jr. finished the job. The Padres haven’t been very good at putting together productive at-bats lately; however, this series of plays certainly made things seem different.
KEEP FIGHTING https://t.co/NMuPNvaTmI
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 7, 2026
Jackson Merrill lined another single and stole second, putting himself in scoring position. Manny Machado knocked him in soon after.
The Brewers responded quickly with a solo home run from William Contreras. Still, the inning ended with the game at 2-1. Either way, Pivetta’s night ended soon after, along with May. The Padres couldn’t score again before the Brewers tied it up. Dustin Harris on a pop-up fairly in couldn’t throw out the runner on third.
However, Cronenworth, previously 1-13 in the playoffs, slammed a go-ahead home run to bring the Padres back on top.
Keep Their Heads Ringin’ https://t.co/La85pegAE9
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 7, 2026
The Padres bullpen kept giving up baserunners, putting the pressure on themselves. However, they often managed to overcome the odds.
In the sixth, the Padres got something going with two outs. Miguel Andujar, called in to pinch-hit, rose himself to a full count from two strikes. Then, off a broken-bat and an error to first base, Xander Bogaerts got the chance to score from second.
ALL-OUT EFFORT https://t.co/Z9Voo1evD4
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 7, 2026
The Padres led 4-2. It was the most they’ve scored against the Brewers all series.
Bradgley Rodriguez had a solid two outs in the seventh, but things quickly fell apart as the Brewers flooded the bases. They once again cut down the Padres’ deficit, bringing themselves back within a run. The score was now 4-3.
Meanwhile, Michael King did come out of the bullpen to record a six-out save. A scoreless eighth gave the Padres a chance to add on, but they were unable to do any damage in the eighth. King returned in the ninth to face one of the hardest parts of the Brewers lineup.
After walking William Contreras and Brice Turang with one out, the game ended on a nail-biting double play from Christian Yelich. Xander Bogaerts made a hell of a play, turning a double play on his own. The ball was hit maybe a foot in front of his glove, but he dug it out and won the game for the Friars.
The Padres live to fight another day at Petco Park on October 7th at 7 PM PST. The starters have yet to be announced, but it is likely that Walker Buehler starts for the Padres or pitches at some point.
