CHICAGO (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. homered and the San Diego Padres moved closer to a postseason berth with a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
The Padres hold the second of three National League wild cards and trail the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers by three games in the NL West with six remaining. Two more wins would assure San Diego a second consecutive playoff appearance.
San Diego starter Michael King (5-3) pitched five-plus scoreless innings and All-Star closer Robert Suarez, the last of five relievers, worked the ninth for his 40th save.
The Padres tagged Sean Burke (4-11) for a pair of runs in the second inning as Jackson Merrill scored on an errant pickoff try and Gavin Sheets came home on Jake Cronenworth’s single.
Tatis hit his 23rd home run an inning later. Burke gave up two earned runs on six hits while striking out four.
Chicago made it close in the seventh when Miguel Vargas and Andrew Benintendi drew bases-loaded walks from reliever Mason Miller.
King allowed four hits and walked four while striking out four.
The White Sox lost for the 98th time in their home finale and need to win five of their last six games to avoid a club-record third straight 100-loss season.
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San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) -
San Diego Padres starter Michael King delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) -
San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr., right, celebrates with catcher Freddy Fermin (54) after defeating the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Key moment
King was pulled after allowing two singles and a walk to begin the sixth. Left-hander Adrian Morejon came on and sandwiched an easy popup between a pair of strikeouts to keep the White Sox scoreless.
Key stat
The Padres allowed just five hits Sunday. The White Sox drew four walks in the seventh, the only inning they scored.
Up next
The Padres open a series against the NL Central champion Brewers on Monday. San Diego had not announced a starter to face Milwaukee RHP Freddy Peralta (17-6, 2.65 ERA).
The White Sox send out RHP Shane Smith (6-8, 4.06) in their series opener at the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
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