September 24, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium Reception by center fielder Jackson Merrill (3). Mandatory photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Jack Cronenworth hit a two-run homer to lift the visiting San Diego Padres to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, clinching a berth in the National League playoffs and helping snap a three-game winning streak. Contest.
Cronenworth had two hits and drove in three runs as the Padres advanced to the postseason for the eighth time in history and just the third time since 2020. Central is two games behind Los Angeles (93-64) with two games remaining in the series and five games remaining in the season.
The Dodgers started the ninth inning with three straight singles from right-hander Roberto Suarez, scoring on a hit hit by Enrique Hernandez.
Los Angeles had runners on first and second base, with Shohei Ohtani on the field, and Miguel Rojas hit a grounder to third baseman Manny Machado, who stepped on the sandbag and passed the ball Cronenworth at second base. Cronenworth passed the ball to first baseman Donovan Solano to end the game.
San Diego starter Michael King (13-9) allowed just one run on five three-hit innings and Suarez finished with his 35th save as the Padres improved to 8-3 against the Dodgers on the year.
Jin slapped three and walked two.
Ohtani drove in, walked and scored for the Dodgers, who still have the magic number of four to win their 11th division title in 12 seasons. Los Angeles clinched a playoff spot on Friday.
Dodgers rookie right-hander Landon Knack (3-5) made his first start against San Diego, allowing four runs on five hits in four innings. He struck out four and walked one.
Ohtani hit a double in the bottom of the first inning to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. He scored when Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts tipped first base on Mookie Betts' grounder.
The Padres led 2-1 after half an inning. Rookie Jackson Merrill singled with one out and Cronenworth hit a two-run home run to right field, his 17th. It was Cronenworth's first RBI in the Sept. 19 game.
Bogaerts hit an RBI single with two outs in the fourth inning and advanced to second on Knack's blocker. Cronenworth then hit an RBI double to left field that hit the wall for a 4-1 lead.
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