The San Diego Padres punched their ticket to the postseason in the most dramatic fashion on Tuesday night, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 and clinching a playoff berth with a game-ending triple play. In a season filled with ups and downs, the Padres delivered a thrilling moment in front of a packed Petco Park crowd, as they stunned their division rivals with a rare defensive gem that sealed their playoff hopes.

The Moment: A Game-Ending Triple Play

With the Padres clinging to a 7-5 lead in the top of the ninth, the Dodgers had runners on first and second with no outs, threatening to spoil San Diego’s celebration. Padres closer Josh Hader was on the mound, tasked with facing the heart of the Dodgers' lineup. On a 1-1 count, Freddie Freeman ripped a sharp ground ball to third baseman Manny Machado, setting up what would be one of the most memorable defensive plays in franchise history.

Machado fielded the ball cleanly, stepped on third for the force out, then fired it to second baseman Ha-Seong Kim, who quickly relayed the ball to first baseman Jake Cronenworth to complete the 5-4-3 triple play, instantly ending the game and sending the Padres into the playoffs. The Petco Park crowd erupted as the team celebrated on the field, knowing they had secured a spot in the postseason in the most improbable and thrilling way.



How the Game Unfolded

The game itself was a tense back-and-forth battle between the two NL West powerhouses. The Padres jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the second inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Juan Soto. The Dodgers responded in the fourth inning, tying the game at 3-3 after a two-run single by Max Muncy and an RBI double from Mookie Betts.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Padres regained control of the game. Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered a clutch two-out double, scoring two runs and putting the Padres ahead 5-3. A solo home run by Xander Bogaerts in the sixth and a sacrifice fly from Machado in the seventh extended San Diego’s lead to 7-3.

However, the Dodgers, who have dominated the NL West in recent years, didn’t go down without a fight. In the eighth inning, Will Smith drove in two runs with a double to cut the Padres' lead to 7-5. But the Padres' bullpen, led by Hader, managed to hold the Dodgers scoreless in the ninth, culminating in the game-ending triple play that will be remembered for years.

Postgame Reactions

After the game, Padres manager Bob Melvin expressed his pride in the team’s resilience throughout the season and how fitting it was to clinch a playoff spot with such a spectacular defensive play.

"To end the game like that, with a triple play, it’s something you don’t see often, and it couldn’t have come at a better time," said Melvin. "Our guys have fought all year, and tonight was just a reflection of that fight. We’re not done yet."

Manny Machado, the catalyst for the triple play, spoke about the play that sealed the victory: "We were ready for anything. When that ball came to me, it was all instinct. I knew we had a chance for three, and we just executed perfectly. It’s an incredible feeling to send us to the playoffs like that."

The Dodgers, on the other hand, were left stunned by the sudden end to the game. Freddie Freeman, who hit into the triple play, said: "It’s a tough way to lose, especially when you feel like you’ve got a chance to come back. Credit to them—they made a great play."

What’s Next for the Padres?

With the playoff berth secured, the Padres will now focus on their postseason journey. San Diego has built a roster with championship aspirations, led by stars like Machado, Soto, Tatis, and Bogaerts. While their regular season was marked by inconsistencies, they have the talent and momentum to make a deep playoff run.

Clinching the playoff spot in such a thrilling fashion also gives the team a boost of confidence heading into October. The Padres, who have long played in the shadow of the Dodgers, now have a chance to make a statement in the postseason and compete for their first World Series title.

For the Dodgers, the loss is a reminder that anything can happen in baseball. They’ll move forward, still well-positioned for the playoffs themselves, but the Padres’ stunning victory on this night will be remembered as a defining moment in the 2024 season.

The Padres' dramatic 7-5 victory over the Dodgers, capped by a game-ending triple play, will go down as one of the most memorable moments in the team’s history. With the win, San Diego clinched a playoff berth and sent a message that they are ready to compete for a championship. As the postseason approaches, the Padres will look to build on this momentum and continue their quest for World Series glory.