After losing the first two games of the National League Division Series in brutal fashion, two one-run late game defeats, the Padres returned to Petco Park needing a win in Game 3 of the National League Division Series to prolong their season.

At the end of a nail-biting game, the Padres beat the Brewers 4-3.

In a game of such importance and a game with so many momentum swings, the drama came early at Petco Park.

The first batter of the game, Brewers star Jackson Chourio launched a line-drive to left-center field, that Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill tracked down with a sliding catch at the warning track. Merrill added an even better catch in the 3rd inning to thwart the Brewers of extra bases.

In the 3rd inning, Samad Taylor singled to lead-off the inning, then stole 2nd base, before advancing to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt. Taylor then scored the first run of the game on a ground out by Fernando Tatis Jr.

The Padres added on later in the 3rd on a Manny Machado single that scored Jackson Merrill for a 2-0 Padres lead.

It was the 3rd straight game in this series that the Padres have lead 2-0.

The Brewers got one run back in the 4th inning on a William Conteras solo home run to left.

Milwaukee added another run on a Chourio RBI sac-fly in the 5th that tied the game at 2. The sac-fly came off relief pitcher Jason Adam after Pivetta allowed 2 singles to start the inning.

Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta went 4.1 innings, allowing 2 runs and striking out 4.

The Padres regained the lead in the bottom of the 5th, when Jake Cronenworth sent the Friar Faithful into a frenzy with a first pitch lead-off home run. Cronenworth’s 368 foot liner to right had just enough to clear the wall.

The Padres added to their lead in the 6th inning thanks to some poor Brewer defense. A Miguel Andujar broken bat bouncer lead to a throwing error by Brewer shortstop Cooper Pratt allowing Xander Bogaerts to score from 2nd base, making it a 2-run Padre lead.

In the 7th, Milwaukee threatened with two 2-out hits placing runners at the corners. A Christian Yelich liner to left-center trimmed the Padres lead to 4-3.

With Mason Miller and Miguel Andujar unavailable, Game 2 starter Michael King recorded the final six outs to secure the win.

Game 4 between the Padres and Brewers is Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Petco Park, with San Diego once again needing a win to keep its season alive.