The San Diego Padres gave Petco Park nearly everything it could ask for Tuesday night: first-inning fireworks, a Michael King pitching masterpiece, and Joe Musgrove’s long-awaited return

San Diego beat the Chicago Cubs 8-0 In Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, moving within one victory of advancing.

The vibes could not be better on the opening night of the postseason in America’s finest city. Wil Myers threw out the first pitch, and the home crowd brought the energy on every single pitch. The Friars thrive in this type of home atmosphere.

Michael King set the tone immediately, striking out Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman to begin the game. Bregman entered the series 7-8 all-time record against the right-hander.

Michael King struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong, the likely NL MVP, on three pitches to open Game 1 of the Padres' Wild Card Series. The third pitch was clocked at 97.6 mph. It was King's fastest pitch since 2023, when he was still a Yankee.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) September 30, 2026

One of the biggest moments of the game happened next. Fernando Tatis Jr. sent the first pitch he saw from Matthew Boyd over the wall and just past the glove of the future MVP.

Manny Machado followed with a solo homer of his own. The Padres led 2-0 after one inning, with the roar from the crowd carrying clearly through the television broadcast.

El flow de Fernando Tatis Jr. es único 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LsxpNDnLYu

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 30, 2026

They say blonds have more fun. pic.twitter.com/Ug3PJsATcd

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 30, 2026

The second inning brought an early test for King. Xander Bogaerts mishandled a routine grounder from Seiya Suzuki and sent the ball into the dugout, putting Suzuki at second with nobody out. Suzuki’s speed might have made the play close even with a clean throw, but King erased the threat without allowing a ball to leave the infield.

Machado added to his big night in the third. With two outs, he drove a double off the wall that allowed Tatis to score from first. The ball staying in play mattered: a bounce over the fence would have stopped Tatis at third. Ty France subsequently flew out, but San Diego had stretched its lead to 3-0.

Bogaerts made up for his earlier error in the fourth, launching a solo home run to left field. Mark Grant, the Padres’ regular television analyst working the Peacock broadcast, had essentially predicted the homer a few pitches before it happened. His call became another memorable part of a night that was quickly turning into a San Diego celebration.

Go hard, gettin' busy with it. pic.twitter.com/D6YeptuF3n

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 30, 2026

King completed five innings without surrendering a hit, silencing a Cubs lineup that had spent much of the season as one of baseball’s most dangerous offenses. The Padres then broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth, when Jackson Merrill delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs. France scored on a wild pitch from left-hander Ryan Rolison, pushing the advantage to 7-0.

“That was pretty well executed on all fronts,” King told John Fanta postgame. “When our superstars are being superstars, it is really hard to beat this team. I just had to keep those guys at bay and let the offense go to work.”

Chicago finally recorded its first hit with one out in the seventh. Nico Hoerner reached on a grounder that Machado had a chance to turn into an out, but the ball slipped from his hands. Hoerner’s speed helped make it a difficult play, and the official ruling ended King’s no-hit bid.

King responded by striking out the next two hitters to finish seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts. It was another Wild Card masterclass in San Diego, giving the Padres exactly the kind of start they needed to open the series.

“This place is nuts,” King said when asked about the comparison to his last Wild Card start against Atlanta. “I love hearing all the support. I know it is intimidating to the other team. It’s been a pleasure to pitch in front of these fans.”

“Campy (Luis Campusano) and I did a lot of homework. Campy was dialed in the entire time. I think there was one pitch that I shook off. We were in rhythm and on the same page the entire time; he was fun to work with,” Musgrove said about his dominant start.

Tatis supplied one more burst of excitement in the bottom of the seventh. He stole second, then raced home after the ball struck the base and skipped into the outfield. His speed turned a stolen-base attempt into San Diego’s eighth run, adding another highlight to a night that began with his first-pitch homer.

ABSOLUTELY UNREAL pic.twitter.com/IDqLxvuHNe

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 30, 2026

France also contributed two hits and a piece of local history. The former San Diego State standout became the first Aztecs alumnus since Tony Gwynn to record a postseason hit for the Padres, connecting Tuesday’s victory to the franchise’s most beloved figure.

Ty France just became the second player from San Diego State to ever record a playoff hit for the San Diego Padres.

It will be overshadowed by the Padres' blowout, but what an awesome moment for former #Aztecforlife

— Chris Spiering (@Clutch__Chris) September 30, 2026

By the bottom of the eighth, the crowd had another hometown player in mind. Chants of “We want Musgrove” filled Petco Park, and with an eight-run cushion entering the ninth, manager Craig Stammen gave the fans their wish.

A standing ovation for Joe Musgrove as he comes in to pitch for the first time since the NL Wild Card Series against Atlanta on October 2, 2024 pic.twitter.com/Bc6Tw8wlKE

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 30, 2026

Musgrove took the mound for his first major league appearance in nearly two years, returning after missing two seasons while working his way back from Tommy John surgery. The San Diego native struck out his first batter, Michael Busch, but his inning became tense when Chicago loaded the bases with one out.

He steadied himself by inducing a flyout for the second out, then struck out Michael Conforto to finish the shutout. After two seasons of patience and setbacks, Musgrove closed a playoff victory in front of his home crowd.

“I was emotional there,” King said postgame on Musgrove’s return.

I am sure every San Diegan was emotional as well. This was an awesome moment for him, and not only did he get the job done, but he looked very good doing so. His fastball touched 97 mph, and his breaking balls were painted all over the zone.

The Padres now turn to Nick Pivetta for Game 2 on Wednesday, with Kevin Gausman starting for the Cubs.

Kevin Gausman will start Game 2 for #Cubs.

— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) September 30, 2026

Entering this postseason, Game 1 winners have won 15 of 16 completed Wild Card Series under the format introduced in 2022. San Diego still needs one more win, but its opening performance put the Cubs under immediate elimination pressure.

Chris Spiering

Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.