The Padres have lofty ambitions this season — and even this week. But before they can chase those bigger dreams, they had one crucial task: securing a spot in the 2024 postseason. On Tuesday night in Los Angeles, they did just that — and in spectacular fashion.
With a thrilling 4-2 victory over their archrival Dodgers, the Padres officially punched their ticket to the playoffs. And they did it in unforgettable style, capping the game with a triple play that left Shohei Ohtani standing helpless on deck. San Diego also closed the gap in the race for the NL West title, trimming the Dodgers’ lead to just two games, the smallest margin since mid-August.
The electrifying game-ending moment unfolded with runners on first and second and Miguel Rojas at the plate. Rojas hit a sharp ground ball right to Manny Machado, who calmly stepped on third before firing to Jake Cronenworth at second. Cronenworth then completed the turn to first, sealing the improbable 5-4-3 triple play. After a brief review, the call stood, and the Padres erupted in celebration.
“What a way to clinch it. You’ve got to be kidding me with that play,” said manager Mike Shildt, still in disbelief over Machado’s brilliance.
While the Padres are focused on the bigger prize — a division title — Tuesday’s win was worth celebrating. With a sweep of the Dodgers, San Diego would move into first place thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker they’ve already secured.
Still, Tuesday’s clincher was a moment to savor. The 2023 Padres also had high hopes but fell short. This year’s team, however, is proving to be a different story — and their journey is far from over.