Sep 22, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates after the Padres clinched a spot in the National League Wild Card Series by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – Freddy Fermin lined a single up the middle in the bottom of the 11th inning, Bryce Johnson raced home, and Petco Park erupted. The Padres walked off the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 on Monday night to clinch a spot in the 2025 postseason — making franchise history with back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2005-06.
For a club that reached October baseball only five times in its first 50 years, this is uncharted territory. Four playoff berths in the last six years now marks the most successful era the franchise has ever known. And the party was unmistakable. Manny Machado, shirtless, drenched in champagne, and still wearing sunglasses, poured tequila into Fermin’s mouth mid-interview.
“Everything is different. But we’ve got heart,” Machado said through the chaos. “Everybody wants it. It’s always a challenge. Baseball’s a challenge. It’s hard.”
The clincher didn’t come easy. Padres starter Nick Pivetta wobbled in the 2nd, walking two and giving up RBI singles to Caleb Durbin and Christian Yelich to put Milwaukee ahead 3-1. San Diego scratched back behind Jose Iglesias, who stayed hot with two hits, including a solo homer in the 5th. On his bobblehead night, Luis Arraez ripped a two-out, game-tying single in the 7th to make it 3-3 and light up the home crowd.
The bullpen held its ground with unsung arms stepping in. Ron Marinaccio and Kyle Hart grabbed key outs before Jeremiah Estrada worked through traffic in the 8th. Robert Suarez took care of the 9th, helped by Johnson’s full-extension diving catch to rob Yelich of extra bases.
Both teams traded runs in the 10th. Rookie Bradgley Rodriguez then induced a rally-killing double play in the top of the 11th, clearing the stage for Iglesias to bunt Johnson over and Fermin to play hero.
“I believe with this staff we have, we are going to the World Series,” Fermin said afterward. “It is very special, this moment. First step, we’ve got to keep rolling.”
The Padres still have work to do. They trail both the Cubs and Dodgers by 2½ games, leaving the door open to improve their postseason seeding or even sneak into the NL West crown. If the standings hold, San Diego would travel to Wrigley Field for a best-of-three Wild Card series.
Last October ended in disappointment after the Friars went cold against the Dodgers in the NLDS. But this year’s group feels different. With new trade-deadline pieces, an All-Star bullpen, and Petco Park as a fortress (21 games over .500 at home), Padres fans can believe.
