Photo via Yahoo Sports

Jake Cronenworth hits solo HR to put Padres ahead of Brewers in NLDS Game 3

Jake Cronenworth hit a solo home run to put the San Diego Padres ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. The blast helped San Diego establish a 3-2 advantage at Petco Park on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

Facing elimination in the best-of-five matchup, the Padres entered the night trailing 2-0 in the series, making the contest a win-or-go-home situation on their home diamond.

The televised FS1 broadcast was scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. Central Time start, which corresponds to 9:30 p.m.

Eastern Time. Nick Pivetta took the mound as the starting pitcher for San Diego, opposing Brewers starting pitcher Dustin May.

In the fourth inning of the contest, Milwaukee's William Contreras hit a solo home run that narrowed the Padres' lead.

Milwaukee had earned its 2-0 series cushion after capturing both opening games at home. In Game 1, the Brewers earned a 3-2 victory in Milwaukee following a controversial ninth inning for San Diego.

Game 2 on Sunday, October 4, 2026, concluded when Jackson Chourio delivered a walk-off two-run single, securing a 4-3 triumph for the Brewers to put San Diego on the brink of elimination.

San Diego entered Game 3 looking to rebound from offensive difficulties on the road. Throughout Games 1 and 2, the Padres left 20 baserunners stranded and produced a 3-for-18 line with runners in scoring position.

Returning home to Petco Park, San Diego brought a record of 51-30 at the venue compiled during the 2026 regular season. Milwaukee came into the series after posting an MLB-best regular-season record of 103-59.

Roster adjustments and pitching deployment also factored into Tuesday's matchup. Walker Buehler returned from the paternity list and was active as a relief option for Game 3 rather than serving as the starter.

Additionally, Padres pitcher Randy Vásquez had not made an appearance in either Game 1 or Game 2 of the series.

This report also draws on coverage from Awful Announcing, MLB.com, Orange County Register.

Up nextMLB· 53m ago

August acquisition Mahle has chance to be October hero for Braves