The San Diego Padres, staring down a 2-0 series deficit, refused to roll over last night, snatching a crucial Game 3 victory at Petco Park. This team needed a spark, and they found it, clawing their way back into the National League Division Series after dropping the first two games against the Milwaukee Brewers. They made sure the misfortunes of Games 1 and 2 stayed in the past.
Cronenworth’s Clutch Blast and an Error Save the Friars
San Diego jumped out to an early lead in Game 3, but the Brewers fought back, tying it up at two apiece. That’s when Jake Cronenworth stepped up, immediately crushing a go-ahead solo shot to left field. BOOM. Just like that, the Padres were back on top. They even tacked on an insurance run thanks to a Milwaukee error, and that play ended up being the difference maker. The Brewers tried to mount a comeback, getting another run across, but they couldn’t follow through. It’s wild to think the Friars won this one while actually getting outhit 11 to six last night. They just made their opportunities count, and now they’ll try to turn the series back to Milwaukee to force a Game 5.
Game 4: Gasser vs. Buehler, and the Pressure Mounts
Tonight, the mound belongs to Robert Gasser for Milwaukee and Walker Buehler for San Diego. Gasser, a lefty, might lack playoff experience, but he’s been lights out lately, posting a 2.87 ERA down the stretch over 36.0 innings. The big question is how he’ll handle the pressure, considering his two postseason appearances in 2025 weren’t pretty, giving up two runs across 2 2/3 innings. And get this: Gasser has *never* faced the Padres in his short career. Could that give him an edge, or will it be a disadvantage? Padres manager Pat Murphy has even hinted at using swingman Chad Patrick in bulk relief for Game 4, so that’s a wild card.
For the Padres, Buehler gets a well-deserved nod. He was supposed to pitch Game 1 but was on the paternity list, so this is his chance to redeem San Diego. The dude’s got playoff tenure in spades, with a career 3.04 ERA over 94.2 innings in the postseason. He only made one start against the Brewers this season, but he absolutely twirled, going six innings of one-run ball, surrendering just three hits and two walks. If he can replicate that performance, and the offense can back him up, San Diego is going to Milwaukee for Game 5.
Tatis’s Slump Has Got To End Tonight
While the Padres found a way to win, the lineup as a whole hasn’t exactly been tearing it up this series. Fernando Tatis Jr., a superstar usually, has been mired in an absolute slump. He’s a brutal 1-for-14 (.071) with four strikeouts this series. He did manage a crucial RBI on a ground out in Game 3, but San Diego needs *way* more from Tatis if they’re going to keep their season alive. This guy has a career postseason OPS of .952; he just needs to unlock that power at the right time. Tonight, it’s all hands on deck for the relief corps and the entire offense. They need to eke out another win, or better yet, blow Milwaukee out of the water, to get that shot at taking the series in Milwaukee on Friday. It’s do or die, folks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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