NLDS: Brewers Eliminate Padres

The Brewers team photo on the field at Petco Park after eliminating the Padres from the 2026 NLDS

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

October 7, 2026

Brewers 3, Padres 1 — NLDS Game Four

The Milwaukee Brewers are heading back to the NLCS after an exciting 3–1 win over the host San Diego Padres in Game Four of the NLDS.

Garrett Mitchell went 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI, a run scored, and a key home run robbery to lead the Brewers to victory.

Brewers starter Robert Gasser was effective in his short (four innings) start, allowing one run on three hits. He and relievers Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill combined to hold the Padres hitless after a leadoff home run in the bottom of the third.

Brewers – Padres Game Summary

The Brewers took a 1–0 lead in the top of the third on an RBI single by Mitchell off Padres starter Walker Buehler. In the bottom of that inning, Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a first-pitch ICBM to dead center, tying the game. A leadoff triple by Mitchell in the fifth off reliever Robbie Ray, followed by a one-out single by Jackson Chourio, gave the Brewers a 2–1 lead. One inning later, it became a 3–1 game on a Sal Frelick sacrifice fly to left off Jason Adam.

Brewers starter Robert Gasser, along with relievers Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill, combined to shut the Padres down after the Tatis home run. It was not without drama, though. In the bottom of the eighth, after a leadoff walk by Tatis, Manny Machado belted a long fly toward the “396” sign to the right of center field. Mitchell tracked it to the wall, leapt, and snatched it out of the crowd for a home-run robbery that deflated the crowd and energized the visiting dugout.

When pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets, in the bottom of the ninth, swung and missed chasing a Megill knuckle-curve that fell off a table, the Brewers had booked a duel with the Los Angeles Dodgers in their second straight NLCS.

What Went Right for the Brewers

Pitching

Gasser, Ashby, Uribe, and Megill only allowed three baserunners after the Tatis homer, and all reached via walk. They combined to strike out six.

Gasser also got out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the first after allowing two hits and a walk. He induced a popup to first by Xander Bogaerts to escape.

Mitchell, Bauers, and Turang

No, this isn’t a law firm or maker of fine collectibles. Center fielder Garrett Mitchell and first baseman Jake Bauers performed both offensively and defensively. Mitchell’s batting line and defensive robbery were mentioned earlier. Bauers reached base in every plate appearance, going 1-for-1 with a single, three walks, and a run scored. Turang went 1-for-5, but where he shone was defensively. He was the pivot-and-relay man on a double play that ended the sixth. Additionally, he made a fantastic running catch on a Ty France foul popup behind first one batter after the Mitchell robbery. On that play, he lunged around Bauers, who ducked out of the way after Turang called him off.

Contreras

Contreras went 2-for-5 in Game Four. In the series, he went 6-for-16 with two homers, two RBI, two walks, and three runs scored. His first homer gave the Brewers the go-ahead run in Game One, making the score 3–2.

“He was probably the MVP of the series,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “What he did behind the plate, being able to throw some runners out. What he did at the plate, every time was a tough at-bat. I don’t know what he finished with his batting average, but it felt like he got a hit almost every time he was at the bat. He had the big home run in Game 1. He had a great series. He’s a great player. Not surprised by that.”

What Went Wrong for the Brewers

Minor Defensive Miscues

In the first inning — with one out, Jackson Merrill on second, and Manny Machado on first — Ty France hit a grounder to Joey Ortiz near the third-base bag. Ortiz stepped on third and inexplicably didn’t throw to first to complete the double play. Replays showed that an accurate throw at average speed (for a major-league infielder) would have doubled up France. Gasser ended up walking the next hitter — Austin Hays — to load the bases. As mentioned earlier, Gasser escaped by inducing an inning-ending popup from Game Three hero Xander Bogaerts.

Shortstop Cooper Pratt also committed a fielding error on a sharp grounder in the fourth. This allowed Luis Campusano to reach with two outs. However, Gasser struck out Jake Cronenworth, up next, to render the error moot.

Missed Opportunities

It didn’t cost the Brewers the game, but they went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Consequently, they left ten men on base. Five were in scoring position. They left runners on first and second in both the fourth and fifth, a runner on second in the sixth, and the bases loaded in the seventh.

What Went Right for the Padres

The Top of the Order

Tatis, Merrill, and Machado each had a hit. Tatis, with his homer, also had the only Padres extra-base hit and RBI. Additionally, Machado hit what would have been a game-tying homer had Mitchell not made his leaping catch.

What Went Wrong for the Padres

Couldn’t Cash In

As mentioned before, the Padres loaded the bases in the first but came up empty.

No Solution for Brewers Pitching

The first inning was the only time all evening that the Padres had a runner in scoring position. And as mentioned earlier, after the Tatis solo homer, the Padres did not even manage a hit.

Quotes

“It starts tomorrow. Tonight’s about us. But tomorrow we’re making a plan and trying to execute. (We’re trying to) figure out how to get two wins at home then head over to L.A. and take care of business there. We’ve played them well this year. We saw them last year in the NLCS, but we’ve got all hands on deck and are ready to go.” — Brewers starting pitcher Robert Gasser on when they’ll start thinking about the Dodgers

“The Padres were great. The Padres, they’re a great team. They could have won it all, but that’s the postseason. The ball doesn’t bounce your way, Uecker doesn’t knock that ball down out of the rafters, and it’s a different series. Chourio gets the hit off Miller, and it’s a different series. Believe me, that team right there can beat anybody in baseball. I’m grateful we got through.” — Brewers manager Pat Murphy

“Every baseball season ends very abruptly when you’re in the playoffs, sooner than you want typically. Only one team gets to win it in the end. Unfortunately, this year it wasn’t our chance.” — Padres manager Craig Stammen

Quick Hits

This was the Brewers’ first road playoff win as a franchise since Game Three of the 2018 NLCS. The opposing starting pitcher in that game was also Walker Buehler.

The home run robbery was remarkably similar to another famous robbery in Petco Park. During the second round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Team USA center fielder Adam Jones made a leaping catch to rob a homer against the Dominican Republic. The play happened in nearly the exact same spot as the Mitchell catch Wednesday night. The player who hit the WBC fly ball? Manny Machado.

The Brewers only struck out three times all game. It took until the second out in the seventh inning for the first one to happen.

Looking Ahead

Aaron Ashby earned the win as Robbie Ray took the loss, both in relief. Megill notched the save.

The Padres are done for the 2026 season, but the Brewers will face the Dodgers — winners of the other NLDS after a 4–1 win over the Atlanta Braves — in the NLCS. Game One will be Sunday at American Family Field in Milwaukee. Pitchers for both teams, as well as the time of the first pitch, had yet to be formally announced at press time.