Padres Defeat Twins 5-3 in Playoff Race

The San Diego Padres secured a 7-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins, fueled by Manny Machado's game-tying home run and Jurickson Profar's three-run shot in the eighth inning. This win allowed the Padres to maintain their lead in the NL wild-card standings, marking their ninth series win in ten since the All-Star break. Jackson Merrill also shone in a previous game, driving in three runs and contributing to the Padres' strong performance, with notable stats of .290/.321/.484 for the season. The Twins struggled with execution, recording only four hits and committing costly errors that resulted in unearned runs. Despite the loss, the Twins remain in contention for a wild-card spot, needing to improve their offensive output and address fundamental errors. Both teams are playoff contenders, with the Padres showcasing resilience and strong late-game performances.