Michael King helped keep the San Diego Padres alive Tuesday night, closing out a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Petco Park. The right-hander recorded a six-out save just two days after starting Game 2, giving San Diego a chance to extend the series.
King entered with the Padres holding a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one across two scoreless innings, finishing the win with a game-ending double play against Christian Yelich.
The performance also put King in the record book. According to OptaSTATS, he became the only pitcher since saves became an official statistic in 1969 to start a postseason game and record a two-inning save within the next two days.
King’s workload was already significant before Tuesday. He started the Padres’ Wild Card Series opener against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 29, throwing seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in an 8-0 victory. He then started Game 2 of the NLDS on Oct. 4, allowing one earned run over five innings with six strikeouts.
Through those appearances, King has been one of San Diego’s most reliable postseason pitchers. His 2026 regular season ended with a 12-10 record, a 3.21 ERA, 159 strikeouts and 185 innings over 32 starts.
David Frerker-Imagn Images
The Padres needed the performance because they entered Game 3 facing elimination after losing the first two games of the series. Milwaukee finished the regular season 103-59, while San Diego went 91-71, giving the Brewers the better regular-season record and home-field advantage to open the NLDS.
San Diego also played without closer Mason Miller, who was placed on the paternity list shortly before Game 3. Wandy Peralta replaced Miller on the postseason roster, leaving the Padres without their primary closer for their most important game of the series to that point.
The Padres now trail Milwaukee 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday night at Petco Park. Walker Buehler is scheduled to start for San Diego, while Milwaukee had not announced its starter as of Wednesday morning.
