Tuesday belonged to the National League, with Game 3s in each of the NL Division Series.
The Mets topped the Phillies in New York in the early game, and the Padres edged out the Dodgers in the third game of the highly anticipated Southern California battle.
All eight teams still alive in the postseason will be in action Wednesday in what’s sure to be an action-packed day across the country.
Padres 6, Dodgers 5
It wasn’t as heated as the last time out, but the San Diego Padres picked up a second straight win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.
The Padres hung on to beat the Dodgers 6-5 in Game 3 of their series at Petco Park in another wild battle in the NLDS. The Padres now hold a 2-1 lead in the series and are just a win away from reaching the NLCS for the second time in the past three seasons.
After Mookie Betts opened the game with a perfect redemption home run against Jurickson Profar, the Padres appeared to break the game open in the second. They scored six runs in that inning on a Fernando Tatis two-run home run and a number of defensive miscues from the Dodgers. But in the next half-inning, the Dodgers responded with a Teoscar Hernandez grand slam to keep them in it.
The game sped up after that early flurry, but the Padres hung on every step of the way to sneak out with the one-run win. They return to Petco Park on Wednesday for Game 4 with a chance to close out the series at home.
Mets 7, Phillies 2
The New York Mets are a win away from the NLCS.
Sean Manaea pitched seven one-run innings, and the Mets capitalized twice with two out and the bases loaded to secure a 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. With the win, the Mets took a 2-1 NLDS lead and have a chance to close out the series at home on Wednesday.
The win continues a remarkable run for a Mets team that appeared to be out of the playoff race at midseason and required a win on the final day of the regular season to secure its spot in the playoffs.
The Phillies now need to win two straight to avoid more playoff disappointment in a postseason that many believed was theirs for the taking.
Here’s a look at Tuesday’s NLDS action:
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FINAL: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
The Padres were on their way to a rout until Teoscar Hernandez hit a grand slam. Their bullpen then combined for four innings of one-hit ball against one of the best offenses in baseball, with six combined strikeouts.
It was an eventful game in an eventful series, and the Padres lead 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT.
Top 9: Robert Suarez stays in for the ninth inning
It’ll be the Padres closer against at least Max Muncy, Will Smith and Gavin Lux with a one-run lead.
End 8: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
That’s three quick outs for the Dodgers to close the eighth, and the Padres are now just three outs way from a Game 3 win.
Mid-8: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
Suarez closed out the inning without issue, and the Padres will head to the bottom of the inning with their one-run lead intact.
Padres swapping pitchers
Freddie Freeman hit a single for the Dodgers in the eighth, but it came after Ohtani struck out looking and Betts flied out to center. Freeman really struggled to run to first after his hit, too, and he was quickly subbed for a pinch runner.
That’ll do it for Padres pitcher Tanner Scott. Robert Suarez is coming in to close out the inning.
End 7: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
The Dodgers are running out of time to complete the comeback here. Shohei Ohtani will kick things off in the eighth.
Anthony Banda retired all four pitchers that he faced, but the Dodgers are making a switch in the seventh now. Daniel Hudson will take it the rest of the way in the inning.
Mid 7: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
That’s three more quick outs for the Padres, who closed out the inning after Pages struck out swinging. This game is speeding up after the early string of runs, but the Padres are hanging on to their one run lead.
End 6: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
Anthony Banda replaced Walker Buehler on the mound for the Dodgers, and he picked up a pair of strikeouts before Higashioka lined out to center. We’ll head to the seventh with the Padres still up by a run.
Mid 6: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
Jeremiah Estrada is on the mound now for the Padres, and he struck out both Hernandez and Muncy before Will Smith grounded out to shortstop for another quick inning. San Diego’s lead is still one.
After 5: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
Finally, we have another hit. Machado hit a single to left in the fifth, and the Dodgers then walked Merrill intentionally, but they got out of the inning when Xander Bogaerts grounded out while breaking his bat.
Mid-5: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
Ohtani, Betts and Freeman were all called out in the fifth in what was the fourth-straight 1-2-3 half-inning. Tatis is up first for the Padres in the bottom of the fifth.
After 4: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
The Dodgers turned a double play to get out of the fourth without giving up a run, but Freddie Freeman appears to have twisted his ankle while making the catch at first. He limped back to the dugout.
Mid-4: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
That’s another quick 1-2-3 inning after both Lux and Pages flied out to right, and Edman grounded out to first. The Padres will head back to the plate with a one-run lead.
End 3: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
After a chaotic few innings, the Dodgers get three quick outs to end the third.
Mid-3: Padres 6, Dodgers 5
Thanks to a huge shot from Teoscar Hernandez, we’ve got a game again in San Diego.
Teoscar Hernandez grand slam
Well, this game is far from over. Teoscar Hernandez just hit a deep grand slam to center field for the Dodgers, and we’ve got a one-run game again. Incredible.
Miguel Rojas out for Dodgers
The Dodgers just pulled Miguel Rojas from the bases with an apparent groin injury. He pulled up near third base just now after being checked out in the bottom of the second.
Now, after struggling to run the bases, Miguel Rojas is coming out the game. Andy Pages replaces him
Have to wonder how much his injury affected him on that botched double-play opportunity
Meanwhile, the Dodgers do have the bases loaded here with no outs in the third