In a decisive match, Jake Cronenworth contributed significantly with a two-run homer and played a key role in a stunning triple play that concluded the game, leading the San Diego Padres to a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, thereby securing their spot in the National League playoffs on Tuesday.

Cronenworth had two hits and three RBIs, marking the Padres’ eighth playoff entry in their history and the third since 2020. With this victory, San Diego (91-66) is now trailing Los Angeles (93-64) by two games in the NL West title race, with two matches left in this series and five in the season overall.

The Dodgers attempted a comeback in the ninth inning against right-hander Robert Suarez, starting off with three consecutive singles, including a run-scoring hit from Enrique Hernandez.

With runners on first and second and Shohei Ohtani ready to bat, Miguel Rojas hit a ground ball to third baseman Manny Machado. Machado stepped on the bag, threw to Cronenworth at second, who then completed the triple play by throwing to first baseman Donovan Solano, sealing the victory for San Diego.

On the mound, San Diego’s Michael King (13-9) allowed just one unearned run from three hits over five innings, while Suarez earned his 35th save, contributing to the Padres’ 8-3 record against the Dodgers this season.

King struck out three batters and issued two walks.

For the Dodgers, Ohtani hit a double, walked, and scored a run. Their magic number to secure the division title remains at four, while Los Angeles clinched their playoff position on Friday.

Rookie right-hander Landon Knack (3-5) took the loss for the Dodgers, giving up four runs on five hits over four innings in his first encounter with the Padres. He managed to strike out four batters and walked one.

Ohtani initiated the scoring for Los Angeles in the first inning with a double, later scoring when Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts made an error on a ground ball hit by Mookie Betts.

The Padres took the lead, 2-1, shortly after. Rookie Jackson Merrill hit a single with one out, followed by Cronenworth hitting a two-out home run to right field, marking his 17th of the season. This was Cronenworth’s first RBI in 19 September games.

Bogaerts added an RBI single with two outs in the fourth inning and advanced to second base on a balk by Knack. Cronenworth then brought him home with an RBI double against the left-field wall, extending the lead to 4-1.