MLBSep 30
Tatis, King Power Padres Past Cubs in Wild-Card Opener
Fernando Tatis Jr. Supplied an immediate spark and Michael King carried a no-hit bid into the seventh as San Diego opened the series with an 8-0 victory.
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Padres strike immediately
San Diego wasted no time taking control of its National League Wild Card Series opener Tuesday night at Petco Park. Fernando Tatis Jr. Drove Matthew Boyd’s opening changeup 405 feet to center, becoming the first Padres player to lead off a playoff game with a home run. He added an RBI double in the third, bringing Tatis home from first, and Xander Bogaerts homered in the fourth. The Padres kept building their advantage against Chicago’s bullpen. Jackson Merrill delivered a two-run single in the fifth before Ty France scored on a passed ball.
King shuts down Chicago
Michael King overwhelmed the majors’ highest-scoring offense, striking out eight across seven innings. His opening matchup set the tone: Pete Crow-Armstrong struck out on three pitches. Chicago remained hitless until Nico Hoerner reached on an infield single with one out in the seventh. Machado stopped the grounder but could not complete the transfer in time to make a play. King responded with consecutive strikeouts to finish his outing. Joe Musgrove handled the ninth in his first major league appearance since Oct. 2, 2024, returning from Tommy John surgery. Chicago collected two singles and a walk, but Musgrove struck out pinch hitter Michael Conforto to keep the shutout intact.
San Diego carries momentum forward
Tatis capped his night by scoring his third run in the seventh, singling and stealing second before an errant throw allowed him to race home. The Padres entered the postseason on a 17-3 surge and delivered a commanding start against the club that eliminated them in last fall’s wild-card series. Game 2 is Wednesday night at Petco Park, with Nick Pivetta scheduled to face Kevin Gausman. The series winner advances to meet the Milwaukee Brewers in the division series.
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