With their season on the line, the San Diego Padres needed big plays—and Xander Bogaerts helped deliver them. The Aruban shortstop scored a crucial run and completed the game-ending double play as San Diego defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4–3 on Tuesday night at Petco Park, cutting Milwaukee’s National League Division Series lead to 2–1.
Bogaerts finished 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, but his contribution went well beyond his batting line. In the fifth inning, he kept William Contreras’ single in the infield with a diving stop, likely preventing a run.
An inning later, Bogaerts helped create the run that ultimately separated the teams. With two outs, he singled against Antonio Senzatela, then advanced to second on a wild pitch by DL Hall. When Miguel Andújar hit a ground ball to shortstop, Bogaerts avoided the ball as he headed toward third and came around to score after Cooper Pratt’s throwing error. San Diego’s lead grew to 4–2—a vital cushion before Milwaukee pulled within one in the seventh.
The Padres had also received a major offensive lift from Jake Cronenworth, whose solo home run in the fifth broke a 2–2 tie. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado drove in San Diego’s first two runs.
The final inning brought one more test. Michael King, pitching in relief just two days after starting Game 2, issued consecutive one-out walks to William Contreras and Brice Turang. With the potential tying and go-ahead runs aboard, Christian Yelich drove a ball toward the middle.
Bogaerts fielded it on a short hop, stepped on second and fired to first to complete the double play. In one sequence, Milwaukee’s threat was over and San Diego had secured another night of postseason baseball. King finished with a six-out save.
For fans in Aruba, it was a performance to appreciate: Bogaerts contributed at the plate, on the bases and with his glove when every play mattered.
The Padres will face another must-win game Wednesday night at Petco Park. A victory would send the series back to Milwaukee for a decisive Game 5 on Friday.