The San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves played the first game of their 2024 NL Wild Card series from Petco Park on Tuesday. The Braves defeated the Mets in the second game of their doubleheader to punch their ticket to the playoff.
The Padres' Michael King started strong by striking out three in the first inning. Petco Park was filled with cheer as King took the mound. The Braves sent AJ Smith-Shawver to the mound as their starter in Game 1.
Luis Arraez recorded a base hit while Fernando Tatis Jr. smashed a two-run bomb deep to left field to give his team an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. It was a rough start for Smith-Shawver as San Diego scored another run at the top of the second inning.
Brian Snitker was forced to retire the rookie and bring in Aaron Bummer. King continued to prevent the Braves from scoring in the first six innings. The Braves' offense struggled against King despite getting on base a few times.
King pitched seven scoreless innings and recorded 12 strikeouts, helping his team to win their first Wild Card game.
Jason Adam took over for King as the relieving pitcher and worked his way out by striking Ozuna.
San Diego Padres vs Atlanta Braves Game Player Stats
San Diego Padres’ player stats
Atlanta Braves player stats
Fernando Tatis Jr. and Kyle Higashioka hit a home runs tonight
Fernando Tatis Jr. had no hesitation against Smith-Shawver as he cracked the first home run of the game in the bottom of the first. Kyle Higashioka went deep from the plate with the second home run of the game, giving his team a 4-0 lead.
Higashioka smashed one deep to left field at the bottom of the eighth inning against Luke Jackson. San Diego's bullpen had an exceptional game, as the Braves were unable to score a single run. The Padres are just one game away from moving to the NLDS round.
The winner of his series will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a five-game series. Joe Musgrove will start in Game 2, while Max Fried will go against him for the Braves.