SAN DIEGO-- Michael King struggled with his fastball command in his first start of the season. He rebounded from it nicely on Tuesday night.
King mowed down the Cleveland Guardians with 11 strikeouts in five innings, Jackson Merrill hit his first home run of the season and the Padres broke it open with two more runs in the fifth inning against Logan Allen, cruising to a 6-0 victory. It was their franchise-best sixth straight win to start the season.
After laboring in his opening day start versus the Braves and exiting in the third inning, King said he was counting down the days until his next opportunity.
"That five days felt like a long time," said King. "I threw a bullpen on day two and I wanted to pitch the next day. The game of baseball, it's obviously a gave of adjustments and then executing."
"Once I was able to command the changeup, it felt like we tried to keep the hitters off-balance as much as possible then turn it over to our dynamite bullen. I felt like the fastball was good and that allows me then not be perfect with the off-speed pitches."
"Michael was good," said manager Mike Shildt. "I thought he was better as he went. Really made pitches, changeup was good, sweeper was good, fastball had life, he looked like Michael King, it was a nice outing."
Out of the yard for The Kid 💥 pic.twitter.com/jE4nrNlrkv
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 2, 2025
Notable: Manny Machado and Fernando Tatís lead the Padres with four stolen bases...LHP Omar Cruz made his major-league debut on Tuesday night, retiring the side in order...Infielder Tyler Wade cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A El Paso...
Inside The Clubhouse
Padres players voiced their support for former teammate Jurickson Profar, who was suspended 80 games on Monday for a PED violation. Manny Machado, who took Profar to a San Diego FC soccer game on Saturday night, vowed to stand by his long-time friend.
"That’s obviously a tough one to swallow, right? And it just sucks to hear it,” Machado said. “Profar’s always gonna be my best friend, and I’m gonna support him no matter what and be right by his side on this tough journey he’s gonna be on.”
Manny Machado on Jurickson Profar's suspension
— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) April 1, 2025
"That's a tough one to swallowzl, it sucks to hear it..Profar's always going to be my best friend and I'll support him no matter what."@SportingTrib pic.twitter.com/l5anH6HAdp
Over two years ago, it was Profar who comforted Fernando Tatís Jr. with daily phone calls and encouragement when he was suspended for PED's, causing him to miss 80 games and the Padres postseason run. Now, the tables have turned.
"It's really tough, said Tatís of his former locker mate. "You know, it's my brother. I love him to death, I'm here for him. Everybody knows the rules, everybody knows, you know, the process and we just need to follow the process. You know especially coming from me, I know the process, I know how your mind can turn against you and you know that other people don’t really know what goes on in here, and what players talk about."
“But I told him everybody that knows him and everybody that has seen him play the game for more than 11 years are really behind his back. And it’s a process, and I’m here for him.”