Oct 14, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Trent Grisham (2) celebrates a home run with third baseman Manny Machado (13) in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
MLBBy Matt Clapp on

The San Diego Padres are one win away from an NLDS series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who entered the MLB postseason as World Series title favorites.

The Padres held off the Dodgers 2-1 in Game 3 of the NLDS in front of an electric crowd at Petco Park. Along with winning the game 2-1, the Padres took a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five NLDS.

It was the first postseason baseball game in San Diego with fans in the stadium since 2006.

The Padres took a 1-0 lead on a Jake Cronenworth RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the first inning.

Trent Grisham continued his hot stretch by crushing a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Grisham has an MLB-best three home runs already this postseason.

San Diego starting pitcher Blake Snell allowed one earned run over 5 1/3 innings pitched, and the Padres’ relievers followed with 3 2/3 scoreless innings.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Josh Hader after San Diego acquired the closer at the trade deadline in a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, but he was nasty in Game 3, consistently firing 99-100 mph fastballs. He blew a 99 mph fastball past Trayce Thompson to close out the San Diego victory.

Game 4 is on Saturday night at Petco Park, with Joe Musgrove starting for San Diego and Tyler Anderson starting for Los Angeles. The Padres want to do everything in their power to end the series in Game 4 instead of needing to win a Game 5 on Sunday in Los Angeles.

If the Padres win the series, they will advance to the NLCS for the first time since 1998.

In the regular season, the Dodgers (111 wins) won the NL West by 22 games over the Padres (89 wins).

Here’s a look at how the baseball world is reacting to the Padres’ Game 3 win over the Dodgers:

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About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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