Padres turn game-ending triple play to clinch playoff spot
The Padres clinched a playoff spot when they turned a triple play to preserve a 4-2 victory over the NL West-leading Dodgers
What s next for the Sparks after Los Angeles coach Curt Miller part ways
LOS ANGELES -- Manny Machado stood in the middle of Dodger Stadium's visiting clubhouse shirtless, with champagne and beer pouring off his back and black Gucci sunglasses covering his eyes. Moments earlier, the San Diego Padres had clinched a spot in baseball's postseason by sealing a close win over the rival Los Angeles Dodgers with a triple play, an unprecedented outcome.
As is so often the case with this group, Machado -- the star third baseman who started the 5-4-3 stunner Tuesday night, solidifying a 4-2 victory that left Shohei Ohtani looming on deck -- was at the center of it.
"How much better?" Machado asked rhetorically. "In a tough spot there, with Ohtani in the on-deck circle, we turn a triple play to end the game against one of the best teams in baseball."
That triple play -- on a sharp grounder to the left side by Miguel Rojas, who initially showed bunt with runners on first and second and none out in the bottom of the ninth -- was only the third to end a game in the past 30 years. The Padres, unsurprisingly, became the first team in major league history to clinch a playoff spot with a game-ending triple play, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
It was the latest, most glaring example of what has been a magical run over these past two months.
After the death of their beloved, free-spending owner, Peter Seidler, the Padres slashed payroll by a third this offseason. Juan Soto was traded to the New York Yankees; Blake Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, and Josh Hader, the five-time-All-Star closer, left in free agency.
By the All-Star break, the Padres sat at 50-49. Since then, they are a major-league-best 41-17 -- and everything seems to be clicking at the ideal time. Their lineup, further strengthened with Fernando Tatis Jr. returning from a 10-week absence, makes up the best contact team in the majors. Their rotation, which received a boost when Yu Darvish returned from a three-month hiatus, looks dominant heading into October. And their bullpen, fortified by the additions of Tanner Scott and Jason Adam at midseason, might be the deepest in the NL.
After missing out with a star-laden team in 2023, the Padres are in the playoffs for the third time since the COVID-shortened season in 2020. And they have an outside chance at taking the National League West, sitting two games back of the Dodgers with five left -- including two more in Los Angeles.
"Obviously there's so many great teams," Padres general manager A.J. Preller said of his club's chances in October, "but we feel like we're as dangerous as anybody. It's a complete team. Every night somebody else steps up. I'm so proud and so happy to be with this group. They deserve it. We're looking forward to a big run."
The Padres are still led by a star-studded nucleus that features Machado, Darvish, Tatis, Xander Bogaerts and Joe Musgrove. But Preller found ways to strengthen the group on a tight budget, trading for frontline starter Dylan Cease in March and acquiring two-time batting champion Luis Arraez in May. Along the way, the likes of Jurickson Profar (signed for $1 million), Jackson Merrill (a 21-year-old rookie transitioning to center field) and Jeremiah Estrada (claimed off waivers before turning into a dominant reliever) provided surprising contributions that made the 2024 Padres one of the most well-rounded units in the sport.
"This group," Tatis said, "is special."
And Machado has set the tone.
His season began slowly in the wake of offseason elbow surgery, his OPS sitting at .654 by the end of May. Since then, he is slashing .296/.344/.548. The team has surged right along with him.
Padres coaches and teammates acknowledged late Tuesday night that Machado is one of a select few who could pull off a triple play of that fashion, coming back to step on third base and then firing a dart to second base to even give it a chance.
Moments after executing it, he stood in the middle of a cramped locker room adorned in purple and blue lights, his soaked upper back exposing a tattooed message that feels fitting for these Padres:
"Sky's The Limit."
"The team we have, no one counted us in," Machado said. "And here we are. It's a credit to this team. This coaching staff, training staff keeping us healthy. It's an unbelievable moment, man. This moment is unbelievable. But I think this whole team in here thinks that the job's not finished. We're going to enjoy tonight, enjoy this game, enjoy the celebration, but the job's not finished."
Lane Thomas hit a two-run homer and drove in three Josh Naylor had a pair of RBI and the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians clinched a first-round bye in the postseason with a 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night
Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb apologized for his on-field performance as well as how he handled himself on the sideline in Sunday s home loss to the Ravens saying he failed himself and the team
The factors -- including an unlucky string of illnesses -- that led to a 25-55 record in Miller s two seasons in Los Angeles and his departure
["Preview: Girona vs. Rayo Vallecano - prediction, team news, lineups? Sports Mole previews Wednesday's La Liga clash between Girona and Rayo \nVallecano, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.","Girona vs. Rayo Vallecano - Football Match Preview - September 25, 2024? The ninth-place team in LaLiga, Rayo Vallecano, visits 12th-place Girona FC \non Wednesday at 1:00 PM ET. Girona FC's last game was a 2-0 loss","Viktor Tsygankov Starts Against Rayo Vallecano? Girona\u201d has announced its starting lineup for the home match of the 7th \nround of La Liga against \u201cRayo Vallecano,\u201d which will kick off at","Girona vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction, 9\/25\/2024 La Liga Soccer Pick, Tips \nand Odds? Girona will take on Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. The \nstarting goalies will be Paulo Gazzaniga Girona and Daniel Cardenas","Where to Watch Girona FC vs. Rayo Vallecano: TV Channel, Start Time and \nLive Stream? Two teams residing in opposite halves of LaLiga, 10th-place Rayo Vallecano \nand 13th-place Girona FC, meet at 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday.","Girona vs Rayo Vallecano: Match Preview and Prediction? On September 25, 2024, at 20:00, Girona will face Rayo Vallecano at the \nMontilivi Stadium as part of La Liga's 2024-25 season, round 7.","Girona vs. Rayo Vallecano Prediction, Odds, La Liga Picks [9\/25\/2024]? Girona will square off with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga action at Estadi \nMunicipal de Montilivi on Wednesday, September 25, starting at 1:00PM","Girona vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction and Betting Tips | September 25, 2024? Girona entertain Rayo Vallecano to the Estadi Montilivi in La Liga on \nWednesday. Both teams have two wins from six games, with Vallecano","Girona FC vs. Rayo Vallecano Prediction, Picks, Live Odds - September 25? Coming off a loss to Valencia CF, Girona FC will play against Rayo \nVallecano, who just drew with Atletico Madrid, on Wednesday. For our","Girona vs Rayo Vallecano Live Stream & Tips \u2013 Visitors to Put Up a Good \nFight in La Liga? A couple of best players have left Girona during the summer which has a \nnegative impact on their form and results.","Chris Forino: Arsenal's Saliba the 'pinnacle' for defenders says Bolton's \nGunners' fan? Bolton Wanderers defender Chris Forino grew up in Arsenal country and \ncannot wait to face the club he supports in the EFL Cup on Wednesday","\u2018Big Sam liked to spoil the party\u2019: how Bolton made life a misery for \nArsenal? Tonight's match will be the teams' first meeting in 12 years, bringing with \nit an avalanche of nostalgia for fans.","I\u2019m a lifelong Arsenal fan who will give Gunners a taste of their own \nmedicine with dark arts in Carabao C...? CHRIS FORINO is ready to match Arsenal's dark arts as he goes for glory \nagainst his boyhood team.The Bolton centre-back says the League One","Gunners fan Forino hoping Wanderers can once again give Arsenal a bloody \nnose? Chris Forino hopes history can repeat itself and Bolton Wanderers can \nruffle Arsenal's feathers in the Carabao Cup, just like they did in","Explosion reported at Santa Maria Courthouse in California? Authorities are responding to a reported explosion at the Santa Maria \nCourthouse in California, according to the Santa Barbara County","California police respond to reports of explosion at Santa Maria courthouse? Santa Barbara county authorities tell people to avoid area amid reports \nsuspect had thrown bag into courtroom. Guardian staff and agency.","Explosion at California courthouse where Michael Jackson was once tried? 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The area around the Santa Maria Superior Courthouse is locked down, and a \nsuspect is in custody, after an explosion in a courtroom a little","Explosion at California courthouse, suspect arrested? An explosion took place at the Santa Maria Courthouse in California, and a \nsuspect has also been taken into custody in relation with the","Explosion at a California courthouse left 2 people with \nnon-life-threatening injuries and 1 person detained? SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) \u2014 Explosion at a California courthouse left 2 \npeople with non-life-threatening injuries and 1 person detained.","2 hurt in explosion at Southern California courthouse and 1 person of \ninterest detained? SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) \u2014 Two people were hurt in an explosion Wednesday \nmorning at a courthouse in Southern California, authorities said.","Erik ten Hag: How Manchester United boss was shaped by plane crash, \nfireworks disaster & car tragedy at FC Twente? Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces a club close to his heart in \nthe Europa League on Wednesday, but also one where tragedies","Man Utd add seven players to B list for Europa League? Club-trained players born on or after 1 January 2003, who have been with \ntheir employers for an uninterrupted period of a minimum of two","Ten Hag: Not nice to hurt former club Twente? Erik ten Hag said he would have preferred not to play against his former \nclub, FC Twente, in the Europa League because it's \"not nice to","Watch Europa League Soccer: Livestream Man United vs. Twente From Anywhere? The Red Devils kick off their European campaign at Old Trafford against \nDutch side.","Why are Manchester United playing a Europa League game on Wednesday night?? Manchester United tonight begin their Europa League campaign at home to FC \nTwente. Erik ten Hag enjoyed three stints with the Dutch club","Erik ten Hag\u2019s FC Twente years \u2013 \u2018He always thought he knew better than the \ncoach\u2019 - The Athletic? \"His heart is Twente, and it will always be,\" friends and team-mates of \nErik ten Hag tell stories of the Manchester United manager's past.","LIVE: Manchester United vs FC Twente \u2013 UEFA Europa League? Manchester United host FC Twente in the league stage of UEFA's Europa \nLeague. The match at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom,","Ten Hag: Expanded schedule makes injuries 'almost unavoidable'? Erik ten Hag has warned the increasing number of fixtures will leave top \nplayers facing an \"almost unavoidable\" risk of injury,","UEFA Europa League LIVE! Opening night sees Manchester United host FC \nTwente; Bodo\/Glimt stun Porto, Elfsborg level with Alkmaar? GOAL! ALKMAAR BACK LEVEL WITH ELFSBORG. The Swedish side are pegged back, \nand it's an absolute howler from Isak Pettersson. A pretty","Ten Hag worried about 'almost unavoidable' risk of injuries in congested \nschedule? MANCHESTER, England (AP) \u2014 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has \nwarned of more injuries to top soccer players because of a growing","League Cup Liverpool versus West Ham United kick off 20:00 Wed 25 Sep 2024? Follow live text commentary, score updates and match stats from Liverpool \nvs West Ham United in the League Cup.","Liverpool v West Ham United: Carabao Cup team news? Arne Slot is considering changes for Liverpool's Carabao Cup clash with \nWest Ham United and Federico Chiesa is pushing for a first start.","West Ham boss Lopetegui owns up to mistakes after losing 3 home matches? West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui insists he can learn from his mistakes as \nhe prepares the Hammers for their League Cup third-round tie away","Liverpool lineup options vs. West Ham with Federico Chiesa 1 of 10 changes? Arne Slot will make changes to his starting XI for the visit of West Ham in \nthe League Cup, and there is a possibility that we will see all","Liverpool vs. West Ham Livestream: How to Watch Carabao Cup Soccer From \nAnywhere? A place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup is up for grabs today at Anfield \nas Liverpool host West Ham in this all-Premier League clash.","Lopetegui ready to learn from mistakes as Liverpool loom in League Cup? Lopetegui's men lost 3-0 to their London rivals on Saturday, with the \n58-year-old Spaniard under fire for his tactics and team selection.","Liverpool vs. West Ham lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news \nand injuries: Chiesa poised for first Reds start? Federico Chiesa is set to make his first Liverpool start against West Ham \nin the Carabao Cup. Julen Lopetegui's Hammers desperately need a","Liverpool Have \"So Many Good Players in This Team\" Raves Arne Slot? With quality two deep at every competition on the pitch, Slot says West Ham \non Wednesday could be an opportunity for a few new faces to","Arsenal vs Bolton Live Streaming: EFL Cup Schedule, Where to Watch in \nIndia, UK, USA? Arsenal vs Bolton Live Streaming: How to Watch the EFL Cup 3rd Round Match? \nCheck Out the Schedule, Broadcast details in India, UK, USA and","Liverpool team vs West Ham predicted as Federico Chiesa starts amid Trey \nNyoni decision? Arne Slot looks set to ring the changes as Liverpool begins its defense of \nthe Carabao Cup against West Ham this evening.","Barcelona vs Getafe, La Liga: TV & Streaming, Live Thread? WELCOME TO THE MONTJU\u00cfC OLYMPIC STADIUM!!! The beautiful temporary home of \nthe world's greatest football club in the capital of Catalonia is","Balde, Torre start in a 4-2-3-1: How Barcelona can line up against Getafe? In a matter of few hours, FC Barcelona will step onto the pitch at Estadi \nOlimpic Lluis Companys to take on Getafe on Matchday 7 of La Liga.","Barcelona vs. Getafe lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news and \ninjuries: Pena steps in for stricken Ter Stegen? Marc-Andre ter Stegen's serious knee injury was the only blemish on \nBarcelona's emphatic win at Villarreal. It also adds to a hefty injury","Preview: Barcelona vs. Getafe - prediction, team news, lineups? Sports Mole previews Wednesday's La Liga clash between Barcelona and \nGetafe, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.","LaLiga: Barcelona v Getafe \u2013 Preview, predictions, picks, offers and odds? Barcelona take on Getafe on Wednesday in La Liga. Read our preview and \nreceive the best betting offers.","Barcelona hope to guard winning streak as Getafe face uphill battle | Daily \nSabah? Barcelona aim to preserve their perfect league start as they host winless \nGetafe on Wednesday. The Blaugrana sit four points clear at the","Official: Barcelona starting XI against Getafe | La Liga? Not long after their last victory, FC Barcelona are now set to play yet \nanother match in La Liga. This time around, however, the Catalan","Getafe vs. Barcelona FREE LIVE STREAM (9\/25\/24)| Watch LA Liga soccer \nonline | Time, TV, Channel? Getafe faces Barcelona in a LA Liga soccer match on Wednesday, Sept. 25, \n2024 (9\/25\/24) at Llu\u00eds Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona,","Barcelona vs. Getafe: Odds, Predictions & Live Streaming Guide? Barcelona aims to maintain its perfect La Liga record against struggling \nGetafe on Wednesday. Currently leading the league by four points,","Predicted Barcelona lineup against Getafe: Cubarsi, Balde to return; Torres \nin final third? Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, and Ferran Torres will return to the \nBarcelona starting lineup against Getafe at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys","Update: Tropical storm warning for Glynn County until Wednesday evening? An updated tropical storm warning was issued by the National Weather \nService on Wednesday at 11:04 a.m. in effect until 7:15 p.m..","Update: Glynn County under a tropical storm warning until Wednesday evening? On Wednesday at 11:04 a.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated \ntropical storm warning in effect until 7:15 p.m..","Update: Glynn County under a tropical storm watch until early Wednesday \nevening? The National Weather Service issued an updated tropical storm watch at \n11:08 p.m. on Tuesday in effect until Wednesday at 4 p.m..","Update: Tropical storm watch issued for Glynn County until early Wednesday \nevening? An updated tropical storm watch was issued by the National Weather Service \non Tuesday at 11:08 p.m. in effect until Wednesday at 4 p.m..","Persepolis earn late win over Esteghlal in Tehran derby? TEHRAN \u2013 Persepolis football team defeated Esteghlal 1-0 in Tehran derby \ncourtesy of Hossein Kanaani's late goal in Matchweek 6 of the","Rivalry between Esteghlal and Persepolis resumes? TEHRAN - The rivalry between Esteghlal and Persepolis resumes on Wednesday, \nwith two teams needing a win in Tehran derby.","Match officials confirmed for Tehran derby? TEHRAN - Bijan Heydari has been chosen to officiate Tehran derby between \nEsteghlal and Persepolis football teams in Matchweek 6 of 2024\/25","Persepolis winger Urunov fit for Tehran derby? TEHRAN \u2013 Persepolis iconic winger Oston Urunov will be fit for the match \nagainst Esteghlal, slated for Wednesday.","Meta\u2019s Ray-Bans will now \u2018remember\u2019 things for you? Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses are already one of the best cracks at AI \nhardware to date. Now, Meta is pushing out a series of software","Meta Teaches Its Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Some New AI Tricks? The on-board Meta AI agent can now set a reminder to buy whatever the \ncamera is pointed at, among other enhancements.","Meta\u2019s AI-powered smart glasses raise concerns about privacy and user data? Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are equipped with a camera and powered by AI. \nAre the current privacy policies sufficient when it comes to the","Meta updates Ray-Ban smart glasses with real-time AI video, reminders, and \nQR code scanning? The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses got an update with new familiar smartphone \nfeatures and AI capabilities coming later in 2024.","How Meta\u2019s Smart Ray-Ban Glasses Spawned a Silicon Valley Hit - WSJ? Tech giant is expected to unveil new version of tech-enabled glasses \nWednesday.","Meta Connect 2024 \u2014 Ray-Ban smart glasses could be the best AI hardware if \nZuck announces these 5 things? At Meta Connect 2024, the Ray-Ban smart glasses could become the best AI \ndevice in the world. Here are the 5 things Zuckerberg should","Meta\u2019s Ray-Ban branded smart glasses are getting AI-powered reminders and \ntranslation features? Meta showed off a number of new abilities for the year-old smart glasses \nonstage at its Connect event, including reminders,","EssilorLuxottica, Meta extend smart eyewear development deal? The Italian eyewear conglomerate and its media company partner are focused \non furthering a line of smart glasses initially launched in 2021.","Meta Enters \"Multi-Generational\" AR Smart Glasses Contract, ahead of \nConnect \u201824? XR Today covers Augmented Reality news including AR Smart Glasses, Mixed \nReality Headsets, VR Headsets, Wearables and more.","Social media giants sharpen smart eyewear focus? Meta Platforms extended its partnership with EssilorLuxottica, a deal which \nwill see the pair continue the development of next-gen eyewear."]
Girona vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction, 9/25/2024 La Liga Soccer Pick, Tips
and Odds? Girona will take on Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. The
starting goalies will be Paulo Gazzaniga Girona and Daniel Cardenas
Girona vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction and Betting Tips | September 25, 2024? Girona entertain Rayo Vallecano to the Estadi Montilivi in La Liga on
Wednesday. Both teams have two wins from six games, with Vallecano‘Big Sam liked to spoil the party’: how Bolton made life a misery for
Arsenal? Tonight's match will be the teams' first meeting in 12 years, bringing with
it an avalanche of nostalgia for fans.
California police respond to reports of explosion at Santa Maria courthouse? Santa Barbara county authorities tell people to avoid area amid reports
suspect had thrown bag into courtroom. Guardian staff and agency.
Police responding to reports of explosion at California courthouse? An explosion was reported at a California courthouse on Wednesday, though
police have not said whether anyone was injured.2 hurt in explosion at Southern California courthouse and 1 person of
interest detained? SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) — Two people were hurt in an explosion Wednesday
morning at a courthouse in Southern California, authorities said.
Watch Europa League Soccer: Livestream Man United vs. Twente From Anywhere? The Red Devils kick off their European campaign at Old Trafford against
Dutch side.
Ten Hag: Expanded schedule makes injuries 'almost unavoidable'? Erik ten Hag has warned the increasing number of fixtures will leave top
players facing an "almost unavoidable" risk of injury,Liverpool v West Ham United: Carabao Cup team news? Arne Slot is considering changes for Liverpool's Carabao Cup clash with
West Ham United and Federico Chiesa is pushing for a first start.
Lopetegui ready to learn from mistakes as Liverpool loom in League Cup? Lopetegui's men lost 3-0 to their London rivals on Saturday, with the
58-year-old Spaniard under fire for his tactics and team selection.
Liverpool team vs West Ham predicted as Federico Chiesa starts amid Trey
Nyoni decision? Arne Slot looks set to ring the changes as Liverpool begins its defense of
the Carabao Cup against West Ham this evening.Preview: Barcelona vs. Getafe - prediction, team news, lineups? Sports Mole previews Wednesday's La Liga clash between Barcelona and
Getafe, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Getafe vs. Barcelona FREE LIVE STREAM (9/25/24)| Watch LA Liga soccer
online | Time, TV, Channel? Getafe faces Barcelona in a LA Liga soccer match on Wednesday, Sept. 25,
2024 (9/25/24) at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona,
Update: Glynn County under a tropical storm warning until Wednesday evening? On Wednesday at 11:04 a.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated
tropical storm warning in effect until 7:15 p.m..Rivalry between Esteghlal and Persepolis resumes? TEHRAN - The rivalry between Esteghlal and Persepolis resumes on Wednesday,
with two teams needing a win in Tehran derby.
Meta Teaches Its Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Some New AI Tricks? The on-board Meta AI agent can now set a reminder to buy whatever the
camera is pointed at, among other enhancements.
Meta Connect 2024 — Ray-Ban smart glasses could be the best AI hardware if
Zuck announces these 5 things? At Meta Connect 2024, the Ray-Ban smart glasses could become the best AI
device in the world. Here are the 5 things Zuckerberg shouldSocial media giants sharpen smart eyewear focus? Meta Platforms extended its partnership with EssilorLuxottica, a deal which
will see the pair continue the development of next-gen eyewear.