{
  "id": 11145477,
  "title": "Gavin Sheets’ pinch-hit homer propels dominant Padres past Cubs 4-1 for 2-game Wild Card sweep",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/gavin-sheets-pinch-hit-homer-propels-dominant-padres-past-cubs-4-1-11145477",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T08:19:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/gavin-sheets-pinch-hit-homer-081908404.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series, the San Diego Padres secured a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs, propelling them closer to facing the Milwaukee Brewers in the upcoming division series. Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets delivered a two-run homer, while five Padres pitchers combined for a five-hitter. Xander Bogaerts contributed with the first run, while Ethan Salas made history as the youngest player to catch a postseason game in MLB history. The Padres, who have won five playoff series in the last seven years, advanced to face the MLB-best Milwaukee Brewers. Manager Craig Stammen praised his team's cohesive performance, stating, \"It's our entire group coming together, finding ways to win ballgames over and over.\" The Cubs struggled against San Diego's dominant staff, managing just eight hits and seven singles over 18 innings.",
  "summary": "Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman struggled mightily atop the Cubs’ lineup, going a combined 0 for 15 with a walk and eight strikeouts over the two games.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Padres rout Cubs 8-0 in emphatic Wild Card opener with Tatis' leadoff homer, King's no-hit bid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/padres-rout-cubs-8-0-in-emphatic-wild-card-opener-with-tatis-leadoff",
        "published": "2026-09-30T04:56:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Padres rout Cubs 8-0 in emphatic Wild Card opener with Tatis’ leadoff homer, King’s no-hit bid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/padres-rout-cubs-8-0-in-emphatic-wild-card-opener-with-tatis-leadoff-10861014",
        "published": "2026-09-30T04:57:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}