Cubs advance to NLDS after 3-1 win amid ninth-inning controversy

The Chicago Cubs advanced to the National League Division Series on Thursday night after a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in a decisive Game 3 at Wrigley Field, a game that ended amid controversy when a ninth-inning called third strike on Xander Bogaerts halted a potential Padres rally. The call, made by home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn with the count full, left Bogaerts out on strikes on a pitch that appeared to be low and drew immediate protest from San Diego players and coaches.

The sequence began when Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill opened the ninth with a solo home run to cut Chicago's lead to 3-1. With Bogaerts batting next, reliever Brad Keller worked the count to full and threw a low pitch that Bogaerts took. Reyburn ruled it strike three. Had the plate umpire called ball four, the tying run would have been on base with no outs. Instead, Keller hit the next two batters, Ryan O'Hearn and Bryce Johnson, loading the bases and setting up a high-leverage situation. Jake Cronenworth grounded out and Freddy Fermin followed with a fly out to center to end the game and the Padres' season.

Players and coaches from San Diego confronted the umpiring crew as they left the...