The San Diego Padres managed to hold their playoff position by splitting a series against the St. Louis Cardinals after a challenging road trip. In a high-scoring finale, the Padres defeated the Cardinals 9-2, with Manny Machado leading the charge with four hits and two doubles. However, the series also saw the Padres falter, losing 9-7 in a previous game where Yu Darvish struggled on the mound. Despite the ups and downs, the Padres finished their 10-game road trip with an even record of 5-5. The Cardinals showcased their power in the series, with significant contributions from Brendan Donovan and Willson Contreras, who both hit crucial home runs in their wins.