Kyle Higashioka homered and Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill added two RBIs apiece during a five-run second inning to help the San Diego Padres clinch their National League wild-card series with a 5-4 victory over the visiting Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night. Fernando Tatis Jr. had three hits and a walk for fourth-seeded San Diego, which wrapped up the best-of-three series in two games.
Luis Arraez and Merrill had two hits apiece for the Padres. Michael Harris II had three hits, including a two-run homer, for the fifth-seeded Braves. "We gave it to them yesterday, and came out today and scored five on one of the best pitchers in the game," Machado said, referring to Atlanta starter Max Fried.
"(The Braves) didn't stop the fight until the last out. "To my team here, we have never given up all year. We're going to continue fighting.
It's a special day here." The Padres will open the NL Division Series on Saturday against the top-seeded Dodgers in Los Angeles. Atlanta moved within 5-4 in the eighth when Orlando Arcia led off with a single against Jason Adam and Harris homered to center on the next pitch.
However, Adam got the next three batters out and Robert Suarez retired the Braves in order in the ninth for the save. Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove departed after 3 2/3 innings with right elbow tightness. He is headed for an MRI exam on Thursday.
San Diego held a 5-1 advantage when Musgrove exited. He struck out four, walked none, and gave up one run and one hit. Bryan Hoe.
