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King Shines in Padres' Dominant 8-0 Playoff Opener
30 Sep
Summary
- Michael King threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only one hit.
- Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado hit first-inning home runs.
- The Padres secured an 8-0 victory in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series.
Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado ignited the Padres' postseason with first-inning home runs, powering an 8-0 victory over the Cubs in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series at Petco Park on Tuesday night. Pitcher Michael King delivered a historic performance, holding the Cubs hitless until the seventh inning over seven scoreless frames.
This dominant showing by King, who allowed only Nico Hoerner's infield single, marks his second consecutive seven-scoreless-inning playoff start. After Yuki Matsui pitched a scoreless eighth, Joe Musgrove closed out the game in the ninth in his first appearance since Game 2 of the 2024 NL Division Series, securing the win.
The Padres' offense, which struggled against the Cubs in the previous year's series, found its rhythm early. Tatis Jr. and Machado, who combined for only two hits in last year's Wild Card Series, set the tone. Xander Bogaerts added a homer in the fourth, and Jackson Merrill drove in two runs, contributing to a lead that exceeded their entire previous year's series total.
The announced crowd of 47,084 at Petco Park created a fervent atmosphere, reflecting the team's strong 51-30 home record during the regular season. The Padres' success at home was a key factor in their drive to secure home-field advantage for this crucial series.
