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 can clinch a second straight NL playoff appearance as early as Monday when they open a three-game home series against Milwaukee.
San Diego starter Michael King (5-3) pitched five scoreless innings and All-Star Robert Suarez, the last of five relievers, worked the ninth and earned 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