CLEVELAND — Michael King didn’t allow a hit until the seventh inning, Kyle Higashioka hit a two-run double and the San Diego Padres defeated the American League-leading Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Sunday.
King’s bid for the second no-hitter in franchise history ended when Angel Martínez led off the seventh with a bloop single to center. The right-hander was acquired from the Yankees in the blockbuster deal that sent Juan Soto to New York on December 7, 2023.
“I felt like I made a good pitch, but the soft contact found the hole,” King said, shrugging. “I know we can compete with the best teams like Cleveland. And at home they are incredible, but I thought we handled their lineup really well.”
Jeremiah Estrada followed King, while Robert Suarez recorded the final four strikeouts for his 23rd save and completed the two-hitter. The Padres have won two of three over the Guardians, who have the best home record in the majors at 31-13.
King (8-6) worked seven innings, giving up one run and two hits with six strikeouts and one walk. In six career games against Cleveland, he had a 0.51 ERA in 17 2/3 innings.
“Maybe I’m being greedy, but I think he had a little bad luck with the bloop single,” said Higashioka, who was also in Soto’s business. “He was super sharp and easily could have scored seven goals. It’s always good to get him because I know how good he is.”
Dylan Cease, Estrada and Yuki Matsui pitched a combined hit Saturday in a 7-0 win, limiting Cleveland to two baserunners. The Guardians went 3-55 in two games, losing their first series since April 13-14 against the Yankees.
“Man, Michael was good today,” San Diego coach Mike Shildt said. “Our initial launch of the entire series was excellent.”
Martínez scored on Josh Naylor’s grounder in the seventh to pull Cleveland within one. José Ramírez singled in the top of the inning for the Guardians’ other hit.
“I don’t think we’re going through a period of panic,” Cleveland coach Stephen Vogt said. “We had two really good pitchers that held us back the last two days.”
The Padres took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on Higashioka’s double that scored Jackson Merrill and Ha-Seong Kim. Guardians starter Ben Lively (8-6) went 5 1/3 innings and lost for the first time in six home decisions this season.
Currently injured starter Joe Musgrove threw the only no-hitter in Padres history on April 9, 2021, at Texas, a 3–0 victory.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Guardians: Left-hander Matthew Boyd (Tommy John surgery) threw four innings, allowing one run with five strikeouts for Double-A Akron in his second rehab appearance on Sunday. The 33-year-old starter remains on track to return to the majors in mid-August.
NEXT
Padres: Right-hander Randy Vásquez (2-5, 4.57 ERA) will pitch Tuesday when San Diego opens a three-game series at Washington. The Nationals have not announced a starter.
Guardians: Right-hander Carlos Carrasco (3-7, 5.02 ERA) faces Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (10-3, 2.41 ERA) in the opener of a four-game series Monday at Progressive Field.
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