**Padres Secure Playoff Berth with Thrilling Triple Play**
In a stunning turn of events, the San Diego Padres clinched a spot in the postseason with a dramatic game-ending triple play, defeating the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 on Tuesday night.
This marks the eighth playoff berth in franchise history for the Padres, who missed the postseason last year. With five games remaining in the regular season, they are guaranteed at least a wild card spot. The team is still chasing its first division title since 2006, trailing the Dodgers by two games with two games left in their series at Dodger Stadium. San Diego holds the tiebreaker with an 8-3 record in head-to-head matchups this season.
In the ninth inning, with the Padres leading by three runs, Kiké Hernández hit an RBI single, cutting the Dodgers’ deficit to 4-2 and putting runners at first and second. Miguel Rojas then hit a bouncer to Manny Machado at third base, who stepped on the bag before completing the triple play, securing the win.
This historic play marks the third time in the past 30 years that a game has ended with a triple play, and the first time the Padres have achieved this feat since June 10, 2010, against the New York Mets. The Padres, who boast the best record in the majors since the All-Star break at 41-17, have become the first team in MLB history to clinch a playoff spot with a game-ending triple play.
With a record of 91-66, the Padres have topped 90 wins for the first time since 2010, and they are driven to win their first World Series title in honor of their late owner, Peter Seidler. Seidler, who passed away last year at age 63, had strong ties to the Dodgers through his family.
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