SAN DIEGO -- Michael King needed this one. The Padres’ starting rotation needed it, too.
Much has been said about San Diego’s offensive struggles to this point, but the rotation has started to show cracks, as well. But as King proved in the Padres’ 1-0 win over the Braves on Monday night at Petco Park, every fifth day has the chance to be a reset with a pitcher like him on the mound.
King delivered seven scoreless innings in an efficient start that saw him land 62 of his 93 total pitches for strikes. It’s an improvement from what has been a turbulent stretch for King, who entered the evening carrying a 6.41 ERA over his previous five starts.
Command, specifically with his sinker, had been an issue.
“He definitely hasn’t been his sharpest the last few times out,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said pregame. “Battling command, battling that [sinker] command. He gets his [sinker] command going, that sets up his changeup and sweeper and four-seam. Looking for good [sinker] command and he’ll go from there.”
That’s exactly what King did.
The right-hander landed his primary offering for a strike at a 77% clip, allowing him to work off of it effectively with his changeup, sweeper and four-seamer. He allowed four hits and didn’t walk a batter for the second time this season.