San Diego’s push toward October gathered more steam Friday night at Petco Park, where the Padres put away Miami, 8-2, and watched a favorable out-of-town scoreboard tighten the National League Wild Card picture.
The result
Dustin Harris delivered the swing that put the Padres in front, lining a two-run single back through the middle to ignite the crowd. Ty France then supplied the loudest blow of the evening, driving a three-run homer to the Western Metal Building in the fifth inning for a 6-1 lead.
France’s 21st homer established a career best. The first baseman, who joined San Diego on a Minor League contract during Spring Training, raised his average above .300 with Friday’s showing. He has gone from earning a roster spot to becoming the club’s cleanup hitter, while continuing to provide high-level defense at first base.
Harris went 2-for-4 and drove in the go-ahead run. Released by the White Sox organization in early July, Harris signed with the Padres soon afterward and hit immediately at Triple-A El Paso. San Diego brought him up when Gavin Sheets suffered a foot injury and the bench needed a left-handed hitter.
He has made himself far more than a temporary answer. Harris entered the night firmly established in the No. 2 spot and now owns a .379 average with an .896 OPS in the majors.
San Diego has found contributions from several additions this season, with pro scouting director Pete DeYoung’s group also helping identify players such as Samad Taylor and Luis Rengifo. France and Harris were central figures again on a night the Padres kept their hot streak rolling.
The standings picture
The Padres have won 11 of their last 12 games and now hold a five-game cushion over Arizona for the final NL Wild Card berth after the Diamondbacks lost to the Yankees. New York scored five runs in the first inning and went on to win.
San Diego can secure a postseason place as early as Sunday. Just one week ago, the Padres and Diamondbacks had been level in the standings, and their season-ending series appeared likely to carry major postseason weight.
There may now be another target in view: home field for the Wild Card Series. Philadelphia lost to the Mets and the Cubs were beaten in Cincinnati, leaving the Padres tied for the best Wild Card record. San Diego remains listed third among those clubs because it has lost both applicable tiebreakers.
Manager Craig Stammen kept the message simple before the game, saying the club’s job is to play each of its remaining nine games to its own standard and let the standings determine the destination.
Still, Stammen made clear what the clubhouse would prefer for its first postseason date: “We would love for it to be in San Diego.”
