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Padres-Diamondbacks series draws mixed results as wild-card race concludes

The San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks split reporting on their final regular-season matchups, with Padres reports saying the team clinched home-field advantage for a wild-card series against the Chicago Cubs, while other reports described the Diamondbacks winning a game to stay alive in the wild-card hunt.

By The Lumen desk · Sept 28, 2026 · 1 min read
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What we know
1 The Associated Press and The New York Times reported the Padres clinched home-field advantage for a wild-card series against the Chicago Cubs.
2 The Washington Post reported the Diamondbacks beat the Padres 11-4, led by Nolan Arenado and Geraldo Perdomo, to stay alive in the wild-card race.
3 The Associated Press reported a separate Padres win over the Diamondbacks, 10-7, with a home run from Manny Machado.
4 Yahoo Sports reported the Diamondbacks needed a win and help from the Phillies on Sunday, September 27, to secure a wild-card spot.
5 Yahoo Sports reported that Diamondbacks player Moreno was scratched from a game.

Reports on the Padres-Diamondbacks series presented differing results from what appear to be different games. The Associated Press reported that Manny Machado homered as the Padres beat the Diamondbacks 10-7, clinching home-field advantage in the wild-card round against the Chicago Cubs.

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The New York Times similarly reported that the Padres clinched the No. 4 seed and home-field advantage in the NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs.

However, The Washington Post reported that Nolan Arenado and Geraldo Perdomo led the Diamondbacks over the Padres 11-4, a result described as keeping Arizona alive in the wild-card hunt.

Yahoo Sports reported that the Diamondbacks needed to win, and needed help from the Philadelphia Phillies, on Sunday, September 27, as they continued their late push for a wild-card spot. The report also noted that Diamondbacks player Moreno was scratched and that the Phillies' game time had changed.

How each side covered it

Left

3 outlets
  • The Associated Press reported Manny Machado homered as the Padres beat the Diamondbacks 10-7.
  • The New York Times reported the Padres clinched the No. 4 seed and home-field advantage against the Cubs.
  • The Washington Post reported Nolan Arenado and Geraldo Perdomo led the Diamondbacks to an 11-4 win over the Padres.
  • Left-leaning reports overall centered on which team's playoff positioning was affected by the results.

“Machado homers as Padres beat D-backs 10-7 to clinch home field in wild-card round vs Cubs” — Associated Press

Center

1 outlet
  • Yahoo Sports reported the Diamondbacks needed to win and needed help from the Phillies on Sunday, September 27.
  • The report noted Diamondbacks player Moreno was scratched from the lineup.
  • The report also noted the Phillies' game time had changed.

“The Diamondbacks need to win — and need help from the Phillies — on Sunday, Sept. 27, as they continue their late push for a wild-card spot.” — Yahoo Sports

Questions readers ask

Did the Padres clinch a wild-card berth?

According to the Associated Press and The New York Times, the San Diego Padres clinched home-field advantage in the wild-card round against the Chicago Cubs.

Did the Diamondbacks stay alive in the wild-card race?

According to The Washington Post, the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Padres 11-4, led by Nolan Arenado and Geraldo Perdomo, to stay alive in the wild-card hunt.

What did the Diamondbacks need to make the playoffs?

According to Yahoo Sports, the Diamondbacks needed to win their game and needed help from the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, September 27.

Why do the reports on this matchup differ?

Sources reported different final scores and outcomes for Padres-Diamondbacks games (10-7 and 11-4), suggesting the reports may refer to different games in the same series; the supplied material does not clarify which game occurred on which date.

Sources · 4 outlet reports

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