Michael King made his return to the pitch for the San Diego Padres, marking his first appearance in Major League Baseball since May due to a nerve issue. The excitement surrounding King’s comeback was palpable, especially considering the improvements the Padres have made to their roster during his time away. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on a team as good as this one,” King remarked, reflecting on the strong additions made to the team, including the recent acquisition of outfielder Ramon Laureano.
In a thrilling matchup against the Boston Red Sox, the Padres pulled off a nail-biting 5-4 victory, with Laureano securing the win through a walk-off hit in the tenth inning. King, who has been on a minor league rehabilitation assignment, wasn’t expected to pitch deep into the game. He allowed four hits and two walks while striking out one batter, throwing a total of 57 pitches before being replaced.
The game saw solid contributions from key players, including Xander Bogaerts, who began the scoring with a solo home run and later drove in another run with an RBI single, marking his notable resurgence in performance. The Padres scored additional runs in the fifth inning due to a series of walks by Boston’s starter, Lucas Giolito, culminating in a 4-3 lead for San Diego.
Despite a resilient performance from their bullpen that included striking out ten batters over four innings, the Padres found themselves tied 4-4 after Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela scored in the tenth inning. However, with crafty pitching from Jason Adam, the Padres effectively neutralized the Red Sox to set up a dramatic final frame where Laureano’s hit delivered the game-winning run, igniting celebrations at a packed Petco Park.
Looking ahead, San Diego aims to secure the series victory against the Red Sox on Sunday, with Dylan Cease set to pitch against Brayan Bello. The Padres’ ability to rally and win close games showcases their resilience and depth, which bodes well for the remainder of the season. The team is hopeful that King’s return and the new additions will propel them further in the playoff race.