Padres Eliminate Diamondbacks from Playoff Race with Tatís Jr.'s Grand Slam

On September 27, 2025, the San Diego Padres secured a crucial 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, effectively eliminating the latter from playoff contention. The game's turning point came in the fourth inning when Padres' star Fernando Tatís Jr. hit a grand slam, erasing a 2-1 deficit and propelling his team to their fifth win in six games.

The Padres' triumph not only dashed the Diamondbacks' postseason hopes but also prevented the Chicago Cubs from clinching homefield advantage in the clubs' opening-round playoff series. Arizona, which had been as many as 10 games out of the last playoff spot on August 1, managed to stay in the race until the final days of the season, but ultimately fell two games behind the Mets and Reds for the final NL wild card spot.

Padres pitcher Yu Darvish delivered a resilient performance, allowing two runs on six hits over five innings, while closer Mason Miller secured the final four outs for his 22nd save. The Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen, who has been a longtime ace for the franchise, may have made his final start for the team, as he is set to become a free agent this winter after posting a career-worst 4.83 ERA.