Padres Beat Diamondbacks 5-3, Secure Home Series to Begin Postseason

The Padres defeated the Diamondbacks 5-3 Friday, securing home-field advantage in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

The Padres got out to an early start offensively, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by three RBI singles and a throwing error from Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte that would lead to another run.

The Diamondbacks responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, including a leadoff solo home run from center fielder Corbin Carroll. Arizona and San Diego would trade runs in the fourth and sixth inning.

Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish went five and one-third innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out four. Darvish also tied a record for most combined wins by a Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher with 203 wins, matching Hiroki Kuroda.

While the Padres still aren’t sure who they’ll host following the conclusion of their regular season Sunday, Friday’s win in Phoenix ensured they will begin their championship chase in San Diego. Padres manager Mike Schildt acknowledged postgame how important this win was.

“(We) get to go play in Petco Park,” Schildt said. “That’s pretty darn special.”

Following Friday’s games, the Diamondbacks, New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves are in a three-way tie for the final two wild-card spots.

Due to Hurricane Helene, the Mets and Braves series in Atlanta has been postponed until Monday, the day after the final day of the regular season. Those two games could determine who the Padres host in their opening series.

While the Padres could rest key players the next two days, Schildt is still looking to finish the season strong.

“We’ll still get after it, trust me,” Schildt said. “These games matter. We want to be reflective of the integrity of the whole race.”

The second game of the series is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. Saturday; the Padre starter is TBD.