SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jake Cronenworth raced home with the tying run on an error and Ty France singled in the go-ahead run during a four-run rally in the seventh inning that gave the San Diego Padres a 7-5 win against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.
The Padres remained in the National League's third wild-card spot after winning for the 10th time in 13 games and for the 20th time in 27. They'll go for a three-game sweep on Sunday against the Twins, who remain in a bunch just outside of the AL's third wild card.
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San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth, left, scores on an error by Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (not shown) in the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Dean Kremer works against San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in San Diego, Calif. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)
San Diego Padres pitcher Griffin Canning works against a Minnesota Twins batter in the fifth inning of a baseball game Twins Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in San Diego, Calif. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)
Jake Cronenworth celebrates after scoring off a single by Jackson Merrill in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Minessota Twins Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in San Diego, Calif. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)
The Padres' rally against Andrew Morris (4-5) started when Freddy Fermin reached on catcher's interference with one out, followed by Fernando Tatis Jr.'s single. Cronenworth hit an opposite-field double into the left-field corner to bring them both in to pull the Padres to 5-4.
Manny Machado hit a grounder to shortstop Kaelen Culpepper, who threw to third trying to get Cronenworth, but Brooks Lee missed it for an error. Cronenworth got up and headed home, sliding in headfirst with the tying run.
France hit an opposite-field single to right to bring in Machado for the go-ahead run.
Griffin Canning (4-9) got the win and Mason Miller pitched the ninth for his 32nd save.
Padres right-hander Casey Mize allowed three solo homers before leaving with two outs in the third with a sprained right ankle. He slipped heading down the dugout steps after the top of the second.
Luke Keaschall hit Mize's fourth pitch into the seats in left, his eighth. It was the first time Mize allowed a leadoff homer. Lee and Culpepper hit consecutive shots in the second. It was Lee's 19th and Culpepper's second.
San Diego's Jackson Merrill hit his 20th homer with one out in the second off Dean Kremer. Merrill added an RBI single in the sixth.
Twins RHP Bailey Ober (7-4, 4.62 ERA) and Padres RHP Walker Buehler (7-6, 4.79) are scheduled to start the series finale Sunday.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth, left, scores on an error by Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (not shown) in the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Dean Kremer works against San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in San Diego, Calif. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)
San Diego Padres pitcher Griffin Canning works against a Minnesota Twins batter in the fifth inning of a baseball game Twins Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in San Diego, Calif. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)
Jake Cronenworth celebrates after scoring off a single by Jackson Merrill in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Minessota Twins Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in San Diego, Calif. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots are set at quarterback with Drake Maye. So are the Eagles with Jalen Hurts. But the players vying to back them up made strong statements in Saturday's preseason game.
Patriots backup Tommy DeVito tossed a 69-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams and New England beat Philadelphia 24-21 on Saturday night in a game that began with a scare when Eagles running back Ja’Quinden Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance.
Jackson was injured on the opening kickoff after tackling New England’s Lan Larison. The Eagles announced that Jackson had strength and movement in his extremities and had been taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Third-string quarterback Tanner McKee said players were told Jackson was OK.
Projected starters for both teams sat out after participating in two days of joint practices earlier in the week.
DeVito has started each of the last two weeks.
“For sure, I feel comfortable,” he said. “Just being able to get comfortable with the guys and everybody around me, and just keep putting our best foot forward.”
Meanwhile, McKee put some heat on veteran Andy Dalton in the competition to be Hurts' backup, throwing two touchdown passes, including a go-ahead 20-yard toss to Carson Steele with 3:39 to play. Patriots third-stringer Behren Morton responded by leading a 73-yard drive, capped by a 37-yard TD pass to Nick DeGennaro.
DeVito played the first half, going 8 of 15 for 151 yards while also running for 44 yards. Larison had a 2-yard TD run.
McKee also threw a 14-yard TD pass to Britain Covey.
Dalton, who was acquired from Carolina in March, said he isn't going into the final week of the preseason thinking anything is guaranteed.
“I don’t know. Have to see how it all goes,” Dalton said. “Every day is a new day, and so we’ll see how it all ends up.”
As expected, Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez was not in uniform as he recovers from a minor injury amid ongoing contract negotiations.
Patriots: OL Marcus Bryant left with an ankle injury on the game’s fifth snap and did not return. ... LB Khalil Jacobs was slow to his feet after making a tackle following Williams’ touchdown. He briefly went to the medical tent before returning to the sideline. ... LB Chad Muma limped off in the final minute.
Steele sent his sideline into a frenzy late in the second quarter when he took a short pass from McKee and turned it into a 14-yard gain that included him hurdling Brandon Crossley to get the ball inside the New England 15. McKee connected on his TD to Covey two plays later.
DeVito showed off his running skills in the second quarter, breaking free for a 36-yard scramble to get the Patriots into Eagles territory for the first time.
The play helped set up a 41-yard field goal by Andy Borregales.
Patriots rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas was called for roughing the passer after knocking down Dalton in the second quarter, negating an interception by cornerback Kindle Vildor.
It was the latest example of growing pains for Jacas, who on July 25 became the last second-round draft pick to sign his rookie deal. It was delayed after he had surgery on his left knee this summer, and an injury waiver was put into his contract.
Jacas attended rookie minicamp following the draft in May but didn’t participate. He also sat out the team’s mandatory minicamp that month.
Morton, the Patriots' seventh-round draft pick, made a surprise appearance on special teams, punting three times after Bryce Barringer handled the first two punts. Morton's boots averaged 44.3 yards and included a touchback.
Morton continued to handle punting duties even after he took over at quarterback in the third quarter.
Eagles: Host Cincinnati on Friday in their final preseason game.
Patriots: Visit Cleveland on Thursday to conclude their preseason.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is pressured by New England Patriots linebacker Gabe Jacus during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey (18) scores a touchdown as wide receiver Samori Toure celebrates against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) runs for a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Philadelphia Eagles' Ja'Quinden Jackson is taken off the field on a stretcher after an injury against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito (16) throws against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
