San Diego edges Milwaukee 4-3 to force a Game 4 in the NLDS after a tense battle at Petco Park
Category: Sports
SAN DIEGO — In a nail-biting Game 3 of the National League Division Series, the San Diego Padres staved off elimination with a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on October 6, 2026. This win kept the Padres' postseason hopes alive and set the stage for a thrilling Game 4 in the best-of-five series.
Facing a 2-0 deficit in the series, the Padres needed a win to avoid being swept. The atmosphere at Petco Park was electric, with over 45,000 fans cheering on their team. The Padres' ace, Michael King, stepped up to pitch the last six outs, securing a victory that seemed improbable at times during the game.
“At the end of the day, it was win or go home, right?” said Manny Machado, encapsulating the urgency of the moment. “Back up against the wall. We had nothing to lose but go out there and play our baseball like we’ve been doing all year.”
San Diego took an early lead once again, a pattern established in the first two games, but this time they held onto it. Jake Cronenworth hit a tie-breaking solo home run in the fifth inning, marking the Padres' first homer of the series. Xander Bogaerts later added an insurance run in the sixth, taking advantage of a Brewers error that showcased Milwaukee's uncharacteristic mistakes in the field.
King’s performance was particularly impressive as he pitched on a day of rest, having thrown 72 pitches just two days earlier. His last pitch of the game was a slider that Christian Yelich hit sharply, but Bogaerts was ready, starting a game-ending double play that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
“I have bullets in my arm that I don't want to save,” King said after the game. “You're in an elimination game, you want everybody to be all-in on it. Not just me included. We have a bunch of dogs down there that are all-in.”
With the win, the Padres ensured their postseason run would continue for at least one more game. The series has been tightly contested, with all three games decided by a single run, a rarity in postseason play.
The Padres entered the postseason as the fourth seed in the National League after a challenging regular season. They faced the Milwaukee Brewers, who boasted a franchise-record 103 wins, earning them the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Brewers had already secured victories in the first two games of the series, aiming for a sweep in Game 3.
In Game 1, the Brewers edged out the Padres 3-2, thanks to a tiebreaking homer from William Contreras. Game 2 saw even more drama, with a game-winning two-run single from Jackson Chourio in the ninth inning, giving Milwaukee a 4-3 victory. The Padres needed to turn the tide in Game 3 to keep their championship dreams alive.
With Miller on the paternity list and setup man Adrian Morejon also unavailable due to shoulder fatigue, Padres manager Craig Stammen faced a difficult decision in managing the bullpen. He utilized four relievers to secure the final outs, a strategy that would be tested again in Game 4.
Looking ahead, Game 4 is set for October 7, 2026, at 7 p.m. PT at Petco Park. The Padres will hand the ball to their star pitcher, Walker Buehler, who has a history of performing well under pressure. The outcome of this game will determine whether the series extends to a decisive Game 5.
The Brewers, meanwhile, will need to regroup and address their pitching strategy, as their thin rotation has come under scrutiny. Dustin May, who struggled in Game 3, might not be the go-to option moving forward. The Brewers’ bullpen will play a key role in the upcoming games, especially if they aim to secure a spot in the National League Championship Series.
As the Padres prepare for Game 4, the stakes are high. They will aim to build on their momentum from the dramatic win and hope for contributions from their stars, who have yet to fully break out in this series. The Padres have gone 27-6 at home since the All-Star break, which could provide an advantage in this must-win scenario.
“It’s all hands on deck,” said Cronenworth, emphasizing the team’s commitment to fighting for every win. With the series hanging in the balance, the Padres are determined to find a way to keep their postseason hopes alive.
As the clock ticks down to Game 4, anticipation builds. Will the Padres continue their comeback, or will the Brewers secure their place in the next round? The answer will come soon enough as the teams clash once more under the bright lights of Petco Park.