Former Yankees pitcher Michael King had appeared in just one postseason game in his six-year major league career before Tuesday.
And he succeeded in a big way.
In Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series between the Padres and the Braves, King made his first start in the playoffs and pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out 12 batters, allowing five hits and no walks. won.
“I think I was dreaming of a perfect game instead of giving up after a few hits,” King said. He arrived in December in the blockbuster trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees. “But to go 1-0 in three races is huge. That was the goal and we achieved it. “We have a horse called Joe (Musgrove) tomorrow and I'm very confident. I have it.”
With his final strikeout of the night, King was able to knock down outfielder Ramon Laureano and then force Travis d'Arnaud to chase a pitch outside the strike zone.
King's first postseason start began with the right-hander striking out Ozzie Albies, Marcell Ozuna, and Jorge Soler in order to put his team away.
King became the first pitcher with his great pitching. In his first postseason start of his career, he recorded 12 strikeouts while giving up no runs and no walks.
His 12 strikeouts are fourth in a first postseason start, behind Jacob deGrom (13 in 2015), Tim Lincecum (14 in 2010) and Livan Hernandez (15 in 1997). It's the amount. According to statistics guru Sara Langs.
According to ESPN Stats & InformationKing joins Cliff Lee (2009), Jake Arrieta (2015), Trevor Bauer (2020) and Logan Webb in having at least 10 strikeouts, no walks, and no runs allowed in a postseason game. He became the fifth pitcher in MLB history to do so. (2021).
The Padres acquired King during the offseason as part of the blockbuster deal that brought Juan Soto to the Bronx.
The deal also included catcher Kyle Higashioka. He stepped up to bat in Game 1 and played in the Kings' only playoff appearance, which happened to be on October 7, 2020, against the Rays in San Diego.
Higashioka increased the Padres' lead to three runs with an RBI in the second inning, and broke the game open with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
— with AP
