Michael King Delivers Six-Out Save as Padres Force NLDS Game 4
Michael King recorded a six-out save on one day of rest as the Padres beat the Brewers 4-3 and forced NLDS Game 4.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
Michael King recorded a six-out save on one day of rest as the San Diego Padres beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 on Tuesday night, avoiding elimination and forcing Game 4 of their National League Division Series.
Jake Cronenworth broke a 2-2 tie with a fifth-inning home run, but King’s unexpected move from the rotation to the bullpen became the defining part of San Diego’s season-saving win at Petco Park. Milwaukee still leads the best-of-five series 2-1.
King answers after Padres lose their closer
The Padres placed All-Star closer Mason Miller on the postseason paternity list shortly before first pitch. Top setup reliever Adrian Morejon was also unavailable because of shoulder discomfort, leaving manager Craig Stammen searching for a way to protect a one-run lead.
King supplied it despite throwing 72 pitches over five innings as San Diego’s Game 2 starter on Sunday. He entered for the eighth, stayed on for the ninth and earned his first postseason save — and his first save for the Padres.
Milwaukee threatened with one out in the ninth when William Contreras and Brice Turang drew walks. Christian Yelich then hit a 107 mph line drive up the middle, but shortstop Xander Bogaerts fielded it on a short hop, stepped on second and completed the game-ending double play at first.
Cronenworth gives San Diego the lead
Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado drove in runs in the third inning to put the Padres ahead 2-0. Contreras answered with a solo homer in the fourth, and Jackson Chourio’s sacrifice fly tied the game in the fifth.
Cronenworth immediately restored San Diego’s lead, driving JoJo Romero’s first-pitch sweeper over the right-field wall. Bogaerts scored an insurance run in the sixth after a wild pitch and a throwing error.
Yelich’s seventh-inning single cut the deficit to 4-3 and ended his 19-game postseason RBI drought. Contreras finished 3-for-4 with a home run, but Milwaukee stranded 11 runners and lost its 12th consecutive postseason road game.
Yuki Matsui earned the win with a scoreless relief appearance. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday night in San Diego, with the Brewers still one victory away from the NL Championship Series.
