Padres Dominate Cubs 8-0 in NL Wild Card Opener as Fernando Tatis Jr. Sets Tone With Leadoff Homer

San Diego Takes 1-0 Series Lead Behind Michael King’s Dominant Start

The San Diego Padres made an emphatic statement in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, routing the Chicago Cubs 8-0 on Tuesday night at Petco Park behind a historic home run from Fernando Tatis Jr. and a dominant pitching performance from Michael King.

Tatis launched the first pitch he saw from Cubs starter Matthew Boyd 405 feet to center field for the first leadoff home run in Padres postseason history. Manny Machado followed with a solo homer of his own, and San Diego quickly turned the rematch of last year’s Wild Card Series into a one sided affair.

King took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, striking out eight over seven stellar innings while shutting down the majors’ highest scoring team. Xander Bogaerts also homered, while Jackson Merrill delivered a two-run single as the Padres provided more than enough offensive support.

Tatis, Machado Set the Tone Early

Boyd opened the game with a changeup, and Tatis crushed it to center field, producing a blast reminiscent of his first-inning homer in Game 1 of San Diego’s 2024 NL Wild Card Series victory over Atlanta.

Moments later, Machado sent another changeup to left center field, setting off pandemonium at Petco Park with his franchise record ninth postseason home run. Tatis walked in the third inning and scored all the way from first on Machado’s RBI double to the wall, giving San Diego a 3-0 advantage.

Bogaerts added to the damage in the fourth, lining a full-count changeup into the seats above left field on the Western Metal Supply Co. building. The Padres continued pouring it on in the fifth inning. San Diego loaded the bases against reliever Javier Assad before Merrill lined a two-run single to center. Ty France later scored on a passed ball, extending the lead to 6-0.

Tatis added another run in the seventh after singling, stealing second and racing home when the throw trickled into center field. He slid headfirst past the tag and came up screaming while Machado theatrically signaled that his teammate was safe.

Michael King Nearly Completes a No-Hitter

While San Diego’s offense provided the fireworks, King controlled the game from the mound. The right-hander immediately established the tone by striking out probable NL MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong on three pitches. King continued to attack the Cubs lineup with his sweeper and finished with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Chicago’s first hit came with one out in the seventh when Nico Hoerner reached on an infield single. Machado made a difficult stop on the grounder but could not transfer the ball cleanly enough to make the play. King responded by striking out the next two batters, earning another standing ovation from the raucous sellout crowd.

The Cubs managed just one hit before reaching veteran Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove in the ninth inning. Musgrove was making his first major league appearance since Oct. 2, 2024, after returning from Tommy John surgery. Chicago put two singles and a walk on the board against Musgrove, but he finished the comeback appearance by striking out pinch-hitter Michael Conforto to preserve the shutout.

Padres Flip the Script From Last Year’s Series

The victory was especially significant because it came against the same Cubs team that eliminated San Diego in three tight games in last year’s Wild Card Series. This time, the Padres wasted no time taking control. San Diego scored more runs in the first five innings Tuesday than it scored in all three games at Wrigley Field during last year’s postseason matchup.

The Padres entered the playoffs on a 17-3 run and continued that surge in Game 1. San Diego finished the regular season with the majors’ sixth best record, two wins ahead of Chicago, while setting franchise records with its third consecutive playoff appearance and fifth straight winning season. The Padres now lead the best-of-three series 1-0 and can advance with another victory Wednesday night.

Padres, Cubs Turn to Game 2 Starters

Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Petco Park, with San Diego sending Nick Pivetta to the mound. Pivetta is 3-2 with a 2.86 ERA and will be making his fifth appearance since returning from a nearly five month absence caused by a right elbow injury.

The Cubs will counter with Kevin Gausman, who finished the regular season 4-2 with a 4.83 ERA. The winner of the Wild Card Series will advance to face the MLB best Milwaukee Brewers in the best-of-five National League Division Series.