Cronenworth's Go-Ahead Homer Keeps Padres Alive as San Diego Tops Brewers 4-3 in NLDS Game 3

The San Diego Padres refused to let their season end quietly. Jake Cronenworth launched a tie-breaking home run in the fifth inning, and reliever Michael King delivered a gutsy six-out save to seal a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the NL Division Series on Tuesday night at Petco Park. Cronenworth turned on the first pitch of his at-bat — a sweeper from JoJo Romero — and drove it over the fence, finishing 2-for-2 on the night with the hit that decided the game. The Brewers had clawed their way back into contention, but San Diego's bullpen held the line when it mattered most. King's performance was the story of the late innings. Called into action just two days after throwing 72 pitches as the Game 2 starter, he recorded a six-out save after closer Mason Miller landed on the paternity list before first pitch. King allowed one hit and walked two but slammed the door, while Yuki Matsui earned the win by retiring all three batters he faced across the fifth and sixth. Milwaukee's offense was not silent. William Contreras went 3-for-4 with a walk and a home run, Christian Yelich snapped a 19-game postseason RBI drought, and Cooper Pratt collected two hits. But the Brewers' 12th straight road playoff defeat ended in the cruelest fashion: Yelich's liner short-hopped into Xander Bogaerts' glove, and the shortstop touched second and fired to first to complete a game-ending double play. The Brewers still lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 set for Wednesday night in San Diego. Earlier, in the other Game 3, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 to take their own 2-1 series lead.