MLB playoffs: Padres overwhelm Braves after Mets, Royals and Tigers win their wild-card Game 1s

Day 1 of the MLB postseason is in the books

Fernando Tatís Jr. launched a towering, two-run home run in the first inning Tuesday to give the San Diego Padres a 2-0 lead over the Atlanta Braves.

That was all the Padres needed. Starting pitcher Michael King took it from there, with a masterful, 12-strikeout performance to lead the Padres to a 4-0 win in Game 1 of their NL wild-card series.

King did his work in seven scoreless innings while allowing five hits and walking none. Braves batters swung and missed at 15 of his pitches. The Padres’ win capped off a busy first day of the MLB postseason that featured four games.

The most back-and-forth game of the day saw the Brewers and Mets take the lead two times each, with the Mets walking away with an 8-4 Game 1 victory.

The bottom of the fifth inning was the decider. Entering the frame down 4-3, New York had seven straight batters reach base in what ended up being a five-run inning. Mark Vientos provided the hit to take the lead with an opposite-field single, part of a 2-for-4 day with two runs and two RBI.

Mets starter Luis Severino wasn't perfect, with eight hits and four earned runs allowed, but throwing six innings was massive for a New York team that played a doubleheader Monday just to reach the postseason, while the Brewers had the day off.

It was a quick and low-scoring battle in Baltimore, but the Kansas City Royals have claimed their first playoff win in nearly a decade.

The Royals, thanks to an RBI single from Bobby Witt Jr., snuck out a tight 1-0 win over the Orioles in their Game 1 matchup at Camden Yards. That put the Royals a step closer to winning their first playoff series since their World Series run in 2015. It was also the first postseason road shutout win in Royals franchise history.

Cole Ragans got the Royals through six scoreless innings in Baltimore, though he was pulled to start the seventh due to cramps in his left calf. The Royals finally scored for the first time in the top of the sixth when Witt hit an easy RBI single to get Maikel Garcia home.

The Orioles came close to scoring in the eighth, when Gunnar Henderson was walked and Jordan Westburg hit a single into center field, but the Royals escaped without any damage. From there, the Royals quickly closed out the ninth inning to seal their win and jump up 1-0 in the series.

For the first time in 11 years, the Detroit Tigers have won a playoff game, topping the Houston Astros 3-1 to take Game 1 of their AL wild-card series.

Behind a brilliant performance from AL Triple Crown winner Tarik Skubal — 6 innings pitched, four hits and no runs allowed, one walk and six strikeouts — the Tigers pounced on Astros pitching early. Framber Valdez found himself in trouble in the second, giving up a walk and four hits. Valdez exited after just 4 1/3 innings.

The Astros didn't go quietly, though. They threatened in the fourth, when Yordan Alvarez led off with a single and Skubal walked Yainer Diaz. But back-to-back strikeouts of Jeremy Peña and Victor Caratini dispatched the threat. In the ninth, Alvarez hit a leadoff double, and an Alex Bregman single put runners on the corners with no one out. Yainer Diaz then put the Astros on the board with an RBI single, Peña advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt, and Tigers manager AJ Hinch replaced closer Jason Foley with Beau Brieske. The righty got one quick out and was one strike away from ending the game before walking Chas McCormick to load the bases. Then Jason Heyward lined out to end it, and the Tigers took Game 1.

Here are the results from Tuesday:

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  • Padres 4, Braves 0

    That's it. Padres closer Robert Suarez pitches a scoreless ninth, and Game 1 between the Padres and Braves, and Day 1 of the MLB postseason as a whole, are in the books.

    Fernando Tatís Jr. launched a towering, two-run home run in the first inning to give the Padres a 2-0 lead. Starting pitcher Michael King took it from there, with a masterful, 12-strikeout performance to lead San Diego to a 4-0 win.

  • Braves-Padres

    Padres closer Robert Suarez is on the mound for the ninth with a 4-0 lead. He's three outs from securing a Game 1 win.

  • Braves-Padres

    The Padres add some insurance in the bottom of the eighth. Kyle Higashioka launched a solo home run into the Petco Park bleachers to extend San Diego's lead to 4-0.

    The Padres are three outs away from a Game 1 win.

  • Braves-Padres

    Padres reliever Jason Adam picks up where Michael King left off. He gives up a hit to Ozzie Albies but records three strikeouts and keeps the Braves off the board in the eighth. The Padres maintain a 3-0 lead and are three outs away from a Game 1 win.

  • Braves-Padres

    Michael King's night is done after a masterful, 12-strikeout effort. The Padres starter allowed five hits and walked none in seven shutout innings. He induced 15 swinging strikes.

    Reliever Jason Adam takes over for the top of the eighth.

  • Braves-Padres

    There's another 1-2-3 inning from the Braves bullpen in the seventh, this one courtesy of Luke Jackson. The Padres haven't scored since tagging 21-year-old starter AJ Smith-Shawver for three runs in 1 1/3 innings. But thanks to starter Michael King, the Padres still lead 3-0.

  • Braves-Padres

    The Braves have got nothing for Michael King. Two more strikeouts and more swing-and-misses on sweepers well off the plate. King's strikeout tally stands at 12 through seven shutout innings on 89 pitches. Padres lead 3-0 at the seventh-inning stretch.

  • Braves-Padres

    Jesse Chavez pitches another 1-2-3 inning, and Braves relievers are dealing. Chavez and Aaron Bummer have combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings since starter AJ Smith-Shawver allowed three early runs. Padres lead 3-0.

  • King, Padres rolling vs. Brewers

    The Padres are cruising in Game 1, as you’d expect a team of their caliber to do against a Braves team that had to travel cross-country just last night following Monday’s doubleheader in Atlanta.

    Although the Mets, with their victory today in Milwaukee, were seemingly unfazed by their chaotic travel, the Braves sure look like a team that could’ve used another day or two to recuperate. That said, it’s quite possible that even a well-rested Braves lineup would be struggling to muster much offense against Padres right-hander Michael King, who has been downright dominant over six scoreless frames.

    Some eyebrows were raised when King got the Game 1 nod over Dylan Cease, but he’s proving tonight that San Diego has more than just one frontline arm.

  • Braves-Padres

    Add two more strikeouts to Michael King's tally. Marcell Ozuna struck out looking and didn't like the call on a ball that was below the strike zone. It's a strikeout nonetheless.

    King added an inning-ending swinging strikeout of Jorge Soler to raise his tally to 10.

    The Braves are still looking for their first run. Padres lead, 3-0 after 5.5 innings.

  • Braves reliever Jesse Chavez retires the side on eight pitches. Padres' lead remains at 3-0 through five innings.

  • Braves-Padres

    Aaron Bummer's night is done. The Braves reliever was excellent in 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Jesse Chavez takes the mound for the Braves in the bottom of the fifth.

  • Braves-Padres

    Michael King is dealing. Strikes out Ozzie Albies swinging to end the top of the fifth. That was his third strikeout of Albies and his eighth of the game.

    Padres lead, 3-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth.

  • Braves-Padres

    Three up and three down for Braves reliever Aaron Bummer in the bottom of the fourth. Padres lead, 3-0.

    Bummer's pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings since taking over for starter AJ Smith-Shawver in the second.

  • Braves-Padres

    Two more strikeouts in a scoreless inning for Padres starter Michael King. Travis d'Arnaud is stranded at second after legging out a two-out double.

    Padres lead, 3-0 after 3 1/2 innings. King now has seven strikeouts.

  • San Diego loves the Padres:

  • Braves-Padres

    Fernando Tatis walked to lead off the bottom of the third, but an otherwise uneventful half inning. Padres lead, 3-0 after three.

  • Braves-Padres

    The Braves put two on with two outs on hits by Michael Harris and Marcell Ozuna in the third. But Michael King gets out of trouble again with an inning-ending strikeout.

    Braves lead, 3-0 after the top of the third. King's allowed four hits but has mitigated the damage with five strikeouts.

  • Braves-Padres

    Braves reliever Aaron Bummer takes the mound and induces an inning-ending double play from Luis Arráez. Padres extend their lead to 3-0 through two innings thanks to a sacrifice fly that scored Jake Cronenworth.

    A Braves team that played a double-header in Atlanta on Monday will depend on its bullpen the rest of the way.

  • Braves-Padres

    AJ Smith-Shawver's night is over. The 21-year-old was put in a tough spot as a Game 1 starter in place of scratched Braves ace Chris Sale. The Padres took advantage.

    They tagged him for two runs in the first, then added a third with one out and a runner on in the second.

    Smith-Shawver leaves having allowed three earned runs on four hits and a home run in 1 1/3 innings pitched.

  • Braves-Padres

    A clean second inning for Padres starter Michael King. Three up and three down, and the Padres enter the bottom of the second leading, 2-0.

  • Braves-Padres

    A tough start for 21-year-old Braves starter AJ Smith-Shawver, who's pitching because of an injury to ace Chris Sale. Gives up three hits and two runs in the first inning of his postseason starting debut. Padres lead, 2-0 after one inning.

  • Braves-Padres

    The Padres are already feasting on Smith-Shawver. Luis Arráez led off the bottom of the first with a single. Then Fernando Tatis brought him home with a deep two-run home run, the first of the 2024 postseason.

    That's two earned runs and zero outs early for the 21-year-old Braves starter.

  • Braves-Padres

    The Braves traveled to San Diego without ace and Triple Crown winner Chris Sale on the roster because of back spasms. So 21-year-old AJ Smith-Shawver gets the start in Game 1 of a playoff series after the Braves were forced to use two starters in Monday's double-header against the Mets.

    Smith-Shawver enters the game with seven career MLB starts and just one this season.

  • Braves-Padres

    The Braves threatened in the top of the first, putting runners on the corners with two outs thanks to singles from Michael Harris and Matt Olson. But Michael King got out of the jam, sitting down Jorge Soler with his third strikeout of the inning.

  • Braves-Padres

    Michael King takes the mound for the Padres in the top of the first. He finished the season with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings pitched.

  • Braves-Padres

    We're minutes away from the night cap of a busy day of playoff baseball. The San Diego Padres are hosting the Atlanta Braves, a day after the Braves secured a spot in the postseason at home against the Mets.

  • NYM-MIL: Mets take Game 1

    That's a big Game 1 win for the Mets, who entered Tuesday with a gassed pitching staff and managed to survive a strong start for the Brewers. Next up is Braves-Padres

  • NYM-MIL: Ryne Stanek in to close out the game

    After a scoreless Mets inning, it'll be Ryne Stanek to end this game

  • NYM-MIL: Brewers go down in order in the 8th, still down 8-4

    After five innings of nonstop offense, this game has completely slowed down, to the detriment of the Brewers. They are still down 8-4 as we head to the ninth, with only one more inning to come back

  • NYM-MIL: Luis Severino puts down his 8th straight batter, likely done after 6

    He's had his hiccups, but Severino has delivered some innings the Mets sorely needed after playing a doubleheader Monday. He's likely done at 105 pitches, with 8 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB and 3 K in 6 innings.

  • NYM-MIL: Brewers bullpen is faltering after a standout season

    The Mets are doing damage against one of the Brewers' biggest strengths. The Milwaukee bullpen led the NL with a 3.11 ERA this season and ranked third with 652 innings pitched, but it can't get an out in this fifth inning.

  • NYM-MIL: J.D. Martinez scores two more

    The Mets are still getting hits. This time, J.D. Martinez hits an RBI single to make it 8-4 Mets. We are on our 20th at-bat with runners in scoring position this game.

  • NYM-MIL: Mark Vientos gives Mets the lead

    We have yet another lead change, this time with Mark Vientos going the other way to score two runs and put the Mets up 6-4.

  • NYM-MIL: Mets tie it again on a dive into first

    With runners on first and second, Jose Iglesias hits a grounder to first that Rhys Hoskins makes a diving play on, which results in race to first between Iglesias and reliever Joel Payamps (who came in for Freddy Peralta). Iglesias wins it with a dive, and Tyrone Taylor scores from second.

  • NYM-MIL: Jackson Chourio robs a homer from Starling Marte

    The youngest player in the majors is making an impact. Starling Marte hits a deep fly ball that should have tied it, but Chourio's glove juuuust gets there and steals the homer.

  • NYM-MIL: Brewers take back the lead

    William Contreras scores Turang with a grounder to short. Francisco Lindor clearly thought about going for the play at home, but took the easy out at first. The inning ends one batter later with a Garrett Mitchell flyout, with the Brewers up 4-3.

  • NYM-MIL: Jackson Chourio ties it for Brewers

    Jackson Chourio is 20 years old and has his first playoff RBI. After leadoff double from fellow rookie Sal Frelick and a single from Brice Turang, Chourio legs out an RBI double to tie the game. The Brewers are still threatening with runners on second and third and one out.

  • KC-BAL: Cole Ragans thinks he could have kept pitching, ready for ALDS

  • KC-BAL: Royals grab 1-0 win

    And that'll do it for Kansas City. The Royals sneak out the 1-0 win to take the early advantage in their first playoff appearance since their World Series run in 2015.

    It's the Royals' first postseason road shutout win in team history.

  • NYM-MIL: Severino escapes again

    The Brewers had runners on the corners and one out, but Luis Severino escapes again with a double play off the bat of Rhys Hoskins. Still 3-2 Mets.

  • NYM-MIL: Luis Severino pitches around double to maintain 3-2 lead

    Brice Turang delivered another double to left, but Severino gets flyouts from Jackson Chourio and William Contreras to preserve the lead.

  • KC-BAL: Burnes out for Orioles

    Corbin Burnes is being replaced by Keegan Akin in the ninth for the Orioles, though he's on pace to make a bit of history if they can't rally for the win. It's Akin's first career postseason appearance, too.

  • KC-BAL: Royals escape eighth

    The Orioles put two on in the eight, thanks to a single from Jordan Westburg, but the Royals escaped without any damage.

    They lead 1-0 headed into the ninth.

  • NYM-MIL: Starling Marte gives Mets the lead

    One Starling Marte sac fly later, the Mets have a 3-2 lead.

  • NYM-MIL: Jesse Winker ties it with RBI triple

    It didn't take the Mets long to respond. Jesse Winker, who began the season on the Nationals, notches a third straight hit off Peralta to tie the game. The Mets still have a runner on third and no outs.

  • NYM-MIL: Brewers get another run on RBI HBP

    With the bases loaded and two outs, Severino hit Rhys Hoskins on the hands to make it 2-0 Brewers. But Sal Frelick then ended the inning with a groundout.

  • NYM-MIL: Brewers strike first

    The Brewers get on the board first with three straight hits to open the game against Luis Severino. William Contreras delivered the RBI single.

  • KC-BAL: Royals pulling Cole Ragans

    After six scoreless innings and 80 pitches, Cole Ragans' day is done. Sam Long is in now to start the seventh for the Royals. Ragans officially left the game with cramps in his left calf.

  • NYM-MIL: Freddy Peralta starts with a 1-2-3 first

    Meanwhile in Mets-Brewers, Freddy Peralta pitches a perfect top of the first, but Brandon Nimmo made him work for it. After Francisco Lindor and Jose Iglesias struck out, Nimmo worked an eight-pitch at-bat that ended with an infield pop-up.