The San Diego Padres defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, surviving an elimination threat to cut Milwaukee's series lead to 2-1 and force a decisive Game 4 at Petco Park. The victory capped a dramatic contest where the Padres overcame a mid-game deficit and a bullpen challenge to secure their spot in the series.
San Diego entered Game 3 with a significant roster adjustment. Closer Mason Miller, who struggled in the ninth inning of Game 2, was placed on the paternity list and unavailable for the matchup. In his place, the Padres relied on starter Nick Pivetta to face Milwaukee's Dustin May. Pivetta used strong defensive play, including a catch by Jackson Merrill that robbed Chourio of a double, to navigate the first inning without runs scored.
The game opened with a Padres advantage in the third inning. Samad Taylor singled and stole second, followed by Jake Cronenworth bunting him to third. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a run-scoring grounder to make it 1-0, and Merrill added a single to center before stealing second. Manny Machado drove in the second run, extending the lead to 2-0.
Milwaukee responded in the top of the fourth when William Contreras hit a home run off Pivetta, narrowing the deficit to 2-1. The Brewers manager, Pat Murphy, removed May from the game after the Padres worked a lead-off walk in the bottom of the fourth, turning to his bullpen. Milwaukee tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the fifth when Cooper Pratt and Sal Frelick reached base on singles, allowing Jackson Chourio to score on a sacrifice fly.
Jake Cronenworth provided the decisive blow in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run off Antonio Senzatela, restoring the Padres' lead at 3-2. San Diego added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Xander Bogaerts scored on a throwing error by Cooper Pratt, pushing the lead to 4-2. Milwaukee cut the deficit to 4-3 in the eighth inning with a run scored off Bradgley Rodríguez.
Padres manager Craig Stammen turned to Michael King for the final two innings. King, who had started Game 2, pitched out of the bullpen to strand the tying run in the ninth inning and secure the 4-3 victory. The win prevents a sweep and sets up Game 4 at Petco Park.