The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the San Diego Padres 11-2 Sunday, wrapping up the regular season.
San Diego scored the first run of the game in the second inning, when catcher Elias Diaz hit a double that scored infielder Nick Ahmed.
The Diamondbacks, whose season was on the line, responded in a big way, scoring six runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from second baseman Ketel Marte.
While the Padres couldn’t finish off the sweep in Phoenix, they will have Monday off and watch the results of the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves double header that was postponed due to Hurricane Helene.
If one of the teams sweeps the double header, the winner and the Diamondbacks will be in the playoffs. If both teams split the double header, both Atlanta and New York will be in the postseason, and Arizona will be out.
“We’ll be ready on Tuesday,” said Padres manager Mike Schildt postgame. “We’ll be prepared and eager and hungry to go compete.”
A highlight from Sunday’s loss was infielder Luis Arraez getting his 200th hit on the season and officially winning the National League batting title. This is the third consecutive batting title that Arraez has won, all with three different teams.
“Everybody is happy for him,” said Schildt. “We did say that we expect the next couple to come from San Diego though.”
Regardless of who the Padres face, the postseason will begin Tuesday, with the time of first pitch still to be determined.
