With just 20 games left in the regular season, the San Diego Padres are poised for a strong chance at making it to the MLB postseason. They currently hold a three-game lead for the top wild-card playoff spot in the National League and are also within striking distance of catching up to the Los Angeles Dodgers, trailing them by only five games in the NL West.
However, if the Padres fall short of the postseason by just one game, their 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday could be the one that got away. The game seemed well in hand as they carried a 3-0 lead into the ninth inning, with star closer Robert Suarez on the mound.
Despite Suarez’s impressive stats and track record, the Tigers managed to mount a remarkable comeback, capped off by a grand slam by rookie Parker Meadows that turned the game in Detroit’s favor. The Padres had a chance to rally in the bottom of the ninth but ultimately fell short, ending the game with a flyout to center field.
While one loss may not seem significant in the grand scheme of a long season, in the heat of a playoff race, every game matters. The Padres will need to regroup and refocus as they push towards securing their spot in the postseason and making a potential playoff run.