Machado, Miller shine as Padres force Game 3 against Cubs
SAN DIEGO (KYMA) -The San Diego Padres aren't done yet. Behind a clutch swing from Manny Machado and another overpowering outing by Mason Miller, San Diego blanked the Chicago Cubs 3-0 on Wednesday at Wrigley Field, tying their National League Wild Card Series at one game apiece.
Jackson Merrill gave the Padres an early lead with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, driving in Fernando Tatis Jr. From there, Machado took over. In the fifth, he launched a two-run shot into the left-field seats his 12th career postseason homer stretching San Diego's lead to three.
That was more than enough for the Padres' arms. Adrian Morejon retired every batter he faced in 2 1/3 innings before handing the ball to Miller, who continued his dazzling postseason debut.
The 25-year-old flamethrower struck out five straight hitters and lit up the radar gun at 104.5 mph, the fastest pitch ever recorded in the playoffs since Statcast began tracking in 2008.
Robert Suarez closed it out with a four-out save, locking down the shutout and giving the Padres a chance to finish the series on Thursday.
Chicago managed just four hits in the loss and failed to cash in on its best scoring chance in the fourth inning. The Cubs are back in the postseason for the first time since 2018, but their bats have been mostly quiet outside of Tuesday's opener.
San Diego will hand the ball to Yu Darvish for the decisive Game 3. The veteran right-hander, who spent three seasons with the Cubs before being traded to the Padres, will get the chance to send his current team into the Division Series right back at the ballpark he used to call home.
