Padres Strengthen Wild Card Hold With 9-2 Rout of Rockies

DENVER — The Padres left Coors Field with more than a 9-2 win Thursday. They left with a four-game hold on the National League’s final Wild Card position, a 6-1 swing through San Francisco and Colorado, and a lineup that kept finding another hitter before the Rockies could catch their breath.

San Diego has won 10 of its last 11 games and now sits one game behind the Cubs for the top NL Wild Card berth. The Padres were also a half-game behind Philadelphia entering the Phillies’ Thursday night game against the Mets. The top spot remains worth chasing because it brings a home postseason series, though San Diego would need to pass both Chicago and Philadelphia after losing tiebreakers to each club.

A cushion before Arizona arrives

The more immediate business is keeping Arizona in the rear-view mirror. The Diamondbacks are four games back of San Diego, and the clubs are scheduled to meet for three games at Petco Park next weekend. If the Padres can preserve that margin, or add to it, they would have the Wild Card race settled before Arizona comes to town.

There is work between here and there. Miami visits for a three-game set beginning Friday, followed by a series against the Dodgers starting Tuesday. The Marlins just took two of three from Arizona, while Los Angeles could still be playing for a first-round bye.

Still, taking three of four in Denver put the final Wild Card berth squarely in San Diego’s control. No scoreboard watching can change that part of the assignment.

Bogaerts turns one inning into a show

Xander Bogaerts nearly authored the fourth cycle in Padres history, but his afternoon instead became its own franchise first. During San Diego’s seven-run second inning, Bogaerts tripled and homered, making him the first Padre ever to record a triple and a homer in the same inning.

He added a double in the fourth and finished one single short of the cycle. His final two trips ended in strikeouts.

The Padres had five players with multiple hits. Dustin Harris and Ty France collected three apiece, with France lifting his season average to .299. Jake Cronenworth and Samad Taylor added two hits each.

It was another broad lineup effort in a series that produced 29 runs and 52 hits. The club has its established stars, but this late push has also been carried by contributions scattered throughout the order.

King keeps taking the ball

Michael King gave the Padres another steady six innings in a season when the rotation has had to navigate injuries and uncertainty. In his career-high 31st start, King allowed two runs, struck out six and earned his eighth straight quality start.

King has long carried himself as a starter who expected to lead a rotation. This season has given him the full workload to prove it. With October drawing closer, the Padres have a pitcher taking his regular turn, an offense rolling through a road trip, and a four-game Wild Card edge they can protect on their own field.