### Estrada's Redemption at Dodger Stadium: Padres Secure Postseason Spot

LOS ANGELES - Jeremiah Estrada stepped out of the visiting dugout at Dodger Stadium, phone in hand, hours before the first pitch on Tuesday. For Estrada, this was not just another game; it was a chance to rectify the memories of his previous visit to this iconic venue. A lifelong Dodgers fan, his last appearance on this mound was during the CIF Southern Section Division II championship game in June 2017, where his Palm Desert High team suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat. Drafted shortly after by the Chicago Cubs in the sixth round, Estrada hadn’t pitched here since that bittersweet day.

Now at 25, Estrada has been documenting every stadium he has visited this season. "This one meant the most," he said late Tuesday night. "As a kid, I always told myself I wanted to pitch at Dodger Stadium. Of course, I wanted to pitch for the Dodgers, but pitching for the San Diego Padres against them feels even better."

Estrada's contribution to the Padres' 4-2 victory on Tuesday was brief but critical. He threw just one pitch—a 97 mph fastball that resulted in an out, increasing his scoreless streak to 9 ⅓ innings for September. Since the start of the month, he has struck out 10, walked two, and allowed only one hit. A bout with the flu earlier in the season affected his performance, causing fluctuations in his ERA, but he has rebounded in September.

Jake Cronenworth, another key player for the Padres, had also been struggling. With a .186/.333/.203 start to September and no home runs or RBIs, he was due for a breakthrough. "I worked my butt off to get something going," he said after hitting a two-run homer and a run-scoring double against the Dodgers' rookie pitcher, Landon Knack.

In the ninth inning, pitching coach Ruben Niebla convened with closer Robert Suarez and the infielders as the Padres prepared to face a tough situation—dodging runners on first and second in a 4-2 game. Padres rookie Jackson Merrill shared a premonition with Fernando Tatis Jr., suggesting a triple play. Incredibly, it happened. "He did call it. It was crazy," Tatis confirmed, laughing amidst the team’s jubilant celebration.

Meanwhile, SS Leodalis De Vries, who ended his season due to a shoulder strain, headlines the Padres’ prospects for the upcoming Arizona Fall League starting October 7. Joining him are C Ethan Salas, 1B Romeo Sanabria, RHPs Ryan Bergert, Luis German, David Morgan, Gabe Mosser, and LHP Harry Gustin.