PHOENIX, AZ — The San Diego Padres crushed the Arizona Diamondbacks’ playoff ambitions on Saturday, launching two crucial home runs off ace reliever A.J. Puk in a five-run ninth inning to claim a 5-0 victory. With this loss, Arizona’s postseason chances now hang by a thread as they enter a must-win finale.

Padres Power Through in the Ninth

Locked in a scoreless battle, the Diamondbacks appeared poised to extend the game until the Padres broke through in the ninth inning. A.J. Puk, who had been nearly flawless for months, shockingly surrendered back-to-back home runs to Kyle Higashioka and Brandon Lockridge. The Padres, resting many top players, suddenly turned the tide with two quick swings. Both Higashioka and Lockridge sent Puk’s sliders into the left-field seats, turning a tense game into a 2-0 lead.

“I feel good. It’s just one of those things. It’s baseball. Things happen like that,” Puk admitted after the game. “I’m looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow and trying to get that win so we can get to the playoffs.”

The Diamondbacks’ struggles didn’t end there. Donovan Solano piled on with a two-run homer off Scott McGough, pushing the Padres’ lead to 5-0 and putting the game out of reach.

Arizona’s Offense Falters Again

Arizona’s offense, which had been one of the most productive in the league, once again failed to deliver when it mattered most. The Diamondbacks managed just two hits the entire game, unable to capitalize on key scoring opportunities. Rookie pitcher Randy Vasquez no-hit Arizona through five innings before Corbin Carroll finally broke the drought with a double in the sixth.

“Offensively, I think we’re all trying to do a little too much,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We are a damn good offensive team, but we can’t chase it the wrong way.”

Despite leading MLB in runs scored, the Diamondbacks have hit a cold streak at the worst possible time. They have now been shut out twice in their last four games and scored three or fewer runs in four of their past five. This offensive slump couldn’t have come at a worse moment, with their playoff chances on the line.

Eduardo Rodriguez Shines but Pulled Early

While Arizona’s offense sputtered, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez gave the Diamondbacks every chance to win. He pitched 4.2 shutout innings, displaying great command before Lovullo made the surprising decision to pull him early with two runners on. Rodriguez had only thrown 62 pitches and later expressed his frustration at being taken out.

“I don’t want to come out of the game, but he makes the decision and I respect it,” Rodriguez said. “In the moment, it’s just frustrating, maybe because I want to keep going.”

Despite Rodriguez’s solid performance, the game remained scoreless until the late Padres rally.

Diamondbacks’ Playoff Picture Looks Grim

With the loss, the Diamondbacks (88-73) find themselves in a precarious situation, trailing both the New York Mets (87-72) and Atlanta Braves (88-71) in the race for the final two National League Wild Card spots. Arizona’s chances of clinching a postseason berth have dramatically diminished, but they still have a slim path to the playoffs.

To stay alive, the Diamondbacks must win their final regular season game on Sunday. They will be eliminated if they lose and the Mets win. However, if Arizona pulls off a victory, they will remain in the race, especially if the Mets or Braves falter in their upcoming games.

“Try and win it,” Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll said of the team’s mindset going into Sunday’s finale. “There’s one game. Give ourselves the best shot to play some postseason ball.”

Diamondbacks’ Path to Clinching a Playoff Spot

For Arizona to punch their ticket to the postseason, the formula is simple but challenging. A win on Sunday is crucial, and several scenarios could work in their favor:

• Win and Mets and Braves Lose: If the Diamondbacks win and both the Mets and Braves lose, Arizona would finish with 89 wins, automatically securing a Wild Card spot.
• Other Scenarios: Arizona can also clinch if the Mets lose two of their last three games or if the Braves lose both remaining games. If the Diamondbacks lose on Sunday, their hopes rest on the Mets losing all of their final three games.

FanGraphs has dropped the Diamondbacks’ playoff odds to 24.3%, making Sunday’s game a do-or-die situation.

All Hands on Deck for Sunday’s Showdown

Heading into Sunday, the Diamondbacks know it’s all or nothing. Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will start, and Lovullo has made it clear that every pitcher will be available to take the mound, including star Zac Gallen, who will be ready to go despite skipping his usual side session.

“It’s all-in tomorrow,” Lovullo emphasized. “We’ve got one game, and we’ve got nothing to do other than go out and give our best effort and do everything we can to win.”

Should Monday’s doubleheader between the Mets and Braves become pivotal for Arizona’s postseason hopes, the team plans to hold a workout session at Chase Field and gather to watch the games unfold.

As the Diamondbacks prepare for Sunday’s crucial matchup, they understand that their fate is partly in their hands—and partly reliant on the results of the other teams. Nevertheless, Lovullo stressed the importance of focusing on what they can control: the game in front of them.

“We’re going to need a lot of help, and I don’t love relying on other people,” Lovullo admitted. “But the one thing we can control is the San Diego Padres at 12:10 tomorrow.”

Season Finale: Diamondbacks vs. Padres

The Diamondbacks will face the Padres in a high-stakes season finale on Sunday at 12:10 p.m. With their playoff hopes on the line, Arizona will need to shake off their offensive slump and find a way to secure a win. A victory could extend their season, while a loss might bring an abrupt end to what had been a promising year.

As they take the field, the Diamondbacks know they’ll need a complete team effort—one that includes a resurgent offense and a lockdown bullpen—to keep their postseason dreams alive.