A four-run sixth inning lifted the Padres closer to their second straight playoff appearance as they beat the White Sox 7-3 Saturday.
Ryan O’Hearn hit a tie-breaking double in the decisive sixth when the Friars took advantage of three wild pitches and three walks while chasing White Sox starter Yoendrys Gómez (3-3).
Fernando Tatis Jr. got the rally started with a leadoff single and scored from third when Manny Machado knocked Gómez out of the game with a single to tie the game at 2-2.
Fraser Ellard then walked three of the five batters he faced and gave up the go-ahead hit when O’Hearn cleared the bases with a line-drive double to left, to put the Padres up 5-2.
After two straight losses, manager Mike Shildt has been waiting for the moment “the collection of the talent” on his team again showed itself. That’s what happened in the Padres’ big inning.
“It was on display tonight and Ryan led the charge,” Shildt said.
O’Hearn finished with three hits. Jackson Merrill also homered leading off the second and scored three runs. Gavin Sheets added an RBI single in the eighth against his former team.
San Diego (84-71), holding the second wild card, saw their magic number for clinching a playoff spot drop to three thanks to the win. Yet they do have a challenge ahead – they can’t clinch Sunday and have to face the Milwaukee Brewers, who have the best record in baseball at 95-60, when they return to Petco Park Monday.
Ryan O’Hearn runs during the top of the decisive sixth inning against the White Sox at Rate Field on September 20, 2025 in Chicago. (Photo by Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire)
Yu Darvish lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits. Adrian Morejon (13-5) then worked 1 1/3 innings.
The White Sox lost for the seventh time in eight games.
Michael King (4-3, 3.84 ERA) takes on Sean Burke (4-10, 4.29) to close out the Padres’ final road trip of the regular season.
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