The San Diego Padres completed a game-ending triple play, clinched a playoff spot and kept their National League West title hopes alive after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-2, on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.
The incredible victory, the Padres’ fifth straight, moved San Diego within two games of the division-leading Dodgers with five games remaining in the regular season.
The ninth inning looked like a tough one for San Diego after closer Robert Suarez allowed a run after three straight singles by Will Smith, Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernandez. Leading 4-2, the Padres had runners on first and second with no outs and Miguel Rojas at the plate and Shohei Ohtani on standby.
Then this happened:
Rojas’ grounder straight to third baseman Manny Machado triggered the triple that was confirmed by replay.