DENVER -- With their 9-2 demolition of the Rockies on Thursday afternoon, the Padres increased their lead in the National League Wild Card race to four games over the Diamondbacks.

The Padres have won 10 of 11 and went 6-1 on their road trip through San Francisco and Colorado. In the process, they’ve made up some major ground in that Wild Card race -- now only one game back of the Cubs for the top Wild Card spot, and a half-game back of the Phillies (pending their game against the Mets on Thursday night).

Here’s some instant reaction from Coors Field:

Why the four-game Wild Card lead is a big deal

San Diego and Arizona are slated to finish the regular season with a three-game series next weekend at Petco Park. So long as the Padres can maintain their four-game cushion (or grow it), they’ll ensure that they clinch before that series begins.

Easier said than done, of course. The Padres play three-game sets vs. the Marlins (Friday-Sunday) and Dodgers (starting Tuesday) before the Diamondbacks arrive. The Marlins have already proven how pesky they are, taking two of three this week in Arizona. Los Angeles, meanwhile, will likely be playing to secure a first-round bye.

Still, by winning three of four in Colorado this week, the Padres have seized firm control of the race for the final Wild Card spot. It’s in their hands -- and only their hands.

As for the top Wild Card spot -- that’s a worthwhile goal. It comes with a home playoff series. But the Padres would need to jump both Chicago and Philadelphia in the standings, because they’ve already lost the tiebreaker against both.

A complete offensive showing

The Padres pounded out 29 runs and 52 hits across their four-game series in Colorado this week. No, it wasn’t quite that ridiculous series from 2019. But it was an impressive offensive display nonetheless.

On Thursday afternoon, five Padres notched multihit games, led by Xander Bogaerts, who, agonizingly, finished a single shy of the cycle.

Bogaerts became the first player in franchise history to hit a homer and a triple in the same inning, doing so during the Padres’ seven-run second. He tacked on a double in the fourth. But he couldn’t quite become the fourth Padre to hit for the cycle -- striking out in his final two at-bats.

Meanwhile, Dustin Harris and Ty France also had three hits apiece (with France bringing his season average to .299). Jake Cronenworth and Samad Taylor had two.

Sure, the Padres’ offense is loaded with superstar talent. But as they’ve surged toward the postseason, they’ve gotten contributions from up and down their lineup.

More quality from King

How valuable has Michael King been this season? All season long, the Padres dealt with injury concerns and other question marks in their starting rotation. And all season long, King delivered.

King made his 31st start on Thursday afternoon, marking a career high. He limited the Rockies to two runs over six innings while striking out six. It was the eighth consecutive quality start from King, who has posted a 2.48 ERA since the All-Star break.

This is what King always envisioned. From the outset, he said he viewed himself as an ace. He wanted to meet those expectations over the course of a full season.

He’s done exactly that.