Cronenworth HR, King Save Keep Padres Alive in NLDS — SkimNews
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- Jake Cronenworth hit a tiebreaking homer and Michael King recorded a two-inning save as the Padres beat the Brewers 4-3 in Game 3 of the NLDS, cutting Milwaukee's series lead to 2-1.
- Michael King earned his first save since 2023 — his first career postseason save — after pitching the final two innings on just two days' rest from his five-inning Game 1 start.
- Xander Bogaerts turned the game-ending double play at shortstop, going to his knees to field Christian Yelich's ninth-inning line drive up the middle before throwing out Yelich at first.
- Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado drove in early runs for San Diego, whose bullpen was without closer Mason Miller after he was placed on the paternity list roughly 45 minutes before first pitch.
- William Contreras homered and went 3-for-4 for Milwaukee, which stranded 11 runners and never led after falling behind early.
- Christian Yelich notched his first playoff RBI since 2018 with a seventh-inning single, but the loss extended the Brewers' postseason road losing streak to 12 games, dating back to the 2018 NLCS.
- Game 4 is Wednesday night at Petco Park, with a potential Game 5 shifting back to Milwaukee on Friday if necessary.
Why it matters: The Padres' bullpen was already stretched without closer Mason Miller, forcing Game 1 starter King into a two-inning save on short rest — a high-wire act that paid off but can't be easily repeated. With the series now 2-1 and Game 4 in San Diego on Wednesday, the Padres have a realistic path back, while Milwaukee's 12-game postseason road skid (dating to 2018) underscores how poorly their regular-season form has translated to October away from home.
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