Races go into final day

The San Diego Padres are still waiting to clinch a playoff spot – and they can blame a familiar name.

Tony Gwynn Jr., son of the Padres’ Hall of Famer by the same name, hit a tying, two-out triple off Trevor Hoffman in the ninth inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers went on to beat the Padres 4-3 in the 11th on Saturday at Milwaukee.

The Padres are assured of at least a tie for the N.L. wild-card spot, and they can wrap it up with a win today.

The Padres’ loss clinched the N.L. West for Arizona and gave the Diamondbacks home-field advantage throughout the N.L. playoffs.

Meanwhile, in the N.L. East, the New York Mets ended a five-game skid that cost them their division lead with a 13-0 win over Florida. Hours later, they moved back into a tie with Philadelphia for first place when the Phillies lost 4-2 to Washington.

New York entered Saturday with a chance to suddenly be eliminated from postseason contention. A loss to Florida and a Phillies win over Washington would have sent the Mets home for the winter.

Instead, Maine (15-10) gave them the dominant outing they’ve desperately needed for two weeks.

A win over Florida and another Philadelphia loss today would give New York consecutive division titles for the first time. If the Mets and Phillies finish tied, they would have a one-game playoff Monday in Philadelphia for the N.L. East crown. Philadelphia beat New York in their final eight meetings this year.