Source Details

{
    "source_type": "extension",
    "content_hash": "e1737353f669510fa0260e647368066e242a62973fb4b9cc4909965de186c23c",
    "submitted_via": "chrome_extension",
    "extension_version": "1.0.18",
    "original_url": "https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7624875\/2026\/09\/25\/padres-clinch-playoff-berth-wild-card\/?source=athletic_pulsenewsletter&campaign=19911188&userId=16438468",
    "parsed_content": "LOS ANGELES \u2014 Two years after securing a trip to October with a game-ending triple play, the San Diego Padres made franchise history Thursday, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.No-hit by Tyler Glasnow for five innings, the Padres broke through in the top of the sixth. Rookie catcher Ethan Salas, the youngest player in the majors, delivered a one-out single, advanced to third on a single by right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and scored on left fielder Dustin Harris\u2019 sacrifice fly. Pinch hitter Austin Hays, Salas and Tatis came up with RBI singles in the seventh. That was more than enough run support; Nick Pivetta and three relievers combined to shut out the Dodgers\u2019 potent offense until the bottom of the eighth.The win gave San Diego its first series victory at Dodger Stadium since April 2024, extended the best run in the majors since July 24 and ensured a roller-coaster campaign will last beyond Sunday\u2019s regular-season finale. After looking hopeless at multiple points this summer, the Padres have won 39 of their past 56 games. They remain in contention, alongside the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, to host a National League Wild Card Series.\n \n \n \n If the current standings hold, the Padres (89-70) would draw the Cubs in a best-of-three series beginning Tuesday at Petco Park. The winner would advance to a Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, who recently secured a fourth straight National League Central title.The Padres have had a typically eventful season. In April, billionaire investors Jos\u00e9 E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones agreed to buy the franchise at a record-setting $3.9 billion valuation. A month later, San Diego surged into first place in the National League West despite a thin rotation and a near-league-worst offense.Regression ensued as the Padres went 14-27 over their next 41 games, losing each of the final eight, including three to their most hated rivals at Dodger Stadium. The team sent only one player, closer Mason Miller, to the All-Star Game. Miller, setup man Adrian Morejon and a few other Padres entered the second half as potential trade candidates.How Justin Verlander would fix the MLB's starting pitcher problemTyler Kepner and Lia GriffinThen, amid some creative pitching-staff management, the Padres won eight of nine games before the trade deadline. Instead of selling off pieces, president of baseball operations A.J. Preller fortified rookie manager Craig Stammen\u2019s roster by acquiring veteran starters Casey Mize and Robbie Ray.Though Mize and Ray have underperformed, a previously disappointing lineup has been on a months-long tear. Tatis, who did not homer until May 30, and center fielder Jackson Merrill returned to being stars. Minor-league signees Ty France, Samad Taylor and Dustin Harris provided unexpected production. Salas, 20, earned a Sept. 1 promotion from Triple A, homered twice on Sept. 16 and could soon become the youngest player to catch a big-league playoff game.Last week, the Padres clinched their fifth consecutive winning season. Another franchise first followed Wednesday, the second anniversary of San Diego\u2019s decisive triple play at Dodger Stadium.Before this decade, the Padres made the playoffs only five times in more than a half-century. Now, with a formidable bullpen and a dangerous offense, they are on the verge of their fifth postseason appearance in seven years.\nDennis Lin is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the San Diego Padres. He previously covered the Padres for the San Diego Union-Tribune. He is a graduate of USC.Follow Sep 25, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports termsPlay today's puzzleWhat did you think of this story?MEHSOLIDAWESOME",
    "published_at": "2026-09-25T05:29:34+00:00",
    "author_name": "Dennis Lin",
    "site_name": "The Athletic",
    "section": null,
    "publisher": "The New York Times Company",
    "ai_headline": "Padres clinch playoff berth with win over Dodgers, making franchise history",
    "ai_simplified_title": "Padres Clinch Playoff Berth Against Dodgers",
    "ai_excerpt": "The San Diego Padres secured their third consecutive playoff berth by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2. This win marks a franchise first and extends their impressive run since July 24, positioning them for a potential Wild Card Series.",
    "ai_subject_tags": [
        "San Diego Padres",
        "MLB Playoffs",
        "Los Angeles Dodgers",
        "Baseball",
        "Sports News",
        "National League Wild Card"
    ],
    "ai_context_type": "News",
    "ai_context_details": {
        "tone": "informative",
        "perspective": "neutral",
        "audience": "general",
        "credibility_indicators": []
    },
    "ai_source_vector": null,
    "ai_confidence_score": 0.9999999999999999,
    "ai_extraction_metadata": {
        "extracted_at": "2026-09-25T20:02:45.028207Z",
        "ai_model": "gemini-2.5-flash",
        "extraction_method": "automated",
        "content_length": 3794,
        "metadata_prompt_body_chars": 3794,
        "metadata_prompt_truncated": false,
        "url": "https:\/\/nytimes.com\/athletic\/7624875\/2026\/09\/25\/padres-clinch-playoff-berth-wild-card",
        "existing_metadata": {
            "author_name": null,
            "published_at": null,
            "domain_name": "nytimes.com",
            "site_name": null,
            "section": null,
            "publisher": null
        },
        "openai_refusal_gemini_fallback": false
    }
}

{
    "extracted_at": "2026-09-25T20:02:45.028207Z",
    "ai_model": "gemini-2.5-flash",
    "extraction_method": "automated",
    "content_length": 3794,
    "metadata_prompt_body_chars": 3794,
    "metadata_prompt_truncated": false,
    "url": "https:\/\/nytimes.com\/athletic\/7624875\/2026\/09\/25\/padres-clinch-playoff-berth-wild-card",
    "existing_metadata": {
        "author_name": null,
        "published_at": null,
        "domain_name": "nytimes.com",
        "site_name": null,
        "section": null,
        "publisher": null
    },
    "openai_refusal_gemini_fallback": false
}