Padres avoid elimination, beat Brewers 4-3 in NLDS Game 3 with Cronenworth’s HR, King’s relief

In a thrilling Game 3 of the NL Division Series, the San Diego Padres avoided elimination by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3. Jake Cronenworth's tiebreaking home run proved crucial, while Michael King's strong pitching in the final two innings secured the victory. Xander Bogaerts turned a game-ending double play at shortstop, keeping Milwaukee's lead to 2-1 in the best-of-five series.

The Padres, leading 2-1, will face the Brewers in Game 4 on Wednesday night at Petco Park, with Game 5 potentially returning to Milwaukee on Friday if necessary. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado had driven in early runs for the Padres, but their bullpen struggled without closer Mason Miller, who had taken paternity leave shortly before the game started.

Michael King, who had started Game 1, stepped up and pitched effectively, retiring four of his first five batters before the ninth inning. The Brewers' Christian Yelich and William Contreras contributed with a line drive and a walk, respectively, before Yelich finally broke the tie with a run-scoring single in the seventh inning.

However, Milwaukee's 11-run deficit, coupled with 11 runners on base, ultimately proved too much for them to overcome. King earned his first postseason save since 2023, marking his first in the postseason and for the Padres. Contreras led the Brewers with a home run and three hits, while Yelich finally recorded his first playoff RBI since 2018 with a single in the seventh inning.