Padres News: Padres rally late, clinch thrilling victory over Rays to open September

The San Diego Padres kicked off September with a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, showcasing their resilience in a tight playoff race.

The game unfolded in classic Padres fashion, with the team demonstrating their knack for late-game heroics. In the ninth inning, Jake Cronenworth drew a walk, marking the Padres' tenth of the game. Manny Machado followed with a single, advancing Cronenworth to third base. Tyler Wade, who replaced Cronenworth, then scored the winning run on a fly ball from Xander Bogaerts.

Robert Suarez closed out the game, earning his 30th save despite facing some pressure with a walk and a single. This win was significant as it tied the Padres for the top wild-card spot in the National League, underscoring their competitive spirit as the season winds down.

Throughout the game, the Padres displayed their trademark approach: they were aggressive on the bases, capitalized on scoring opportunities, and executed small-ball strategies like bunts and fly balls. This victory marked their 29th win in games where they were either tied or trailing in the seventh inning or later, and their 18th win achieved in their final at-bat.

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Early in the game, the Padres made Rays starter Ryan Pepiot work hard, forcing him to throw 89 pitches across three-plus innings. They finally broke through in the fourth inning, scoring three runs, including a two-run homer from Jackson Merrill.

However, the Rays fought back, tying the game after the Padres had taken the lead. A series of walks and missed opportunities allowed Tampa Bay to capitalize, but the Padres managed to regain control and secure the win.