Red Sox rout Padres 10-2 on Aug. 9 with homers from Abreu and Yoshida. Despite the loss, the big story is Michael King's return from injury for San Diego.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
On a day when Petco Park needed a jolt, the Padres got two very different kinds of electricity: a 10-2 loss that stung, and the spark of Michael King’s long-awaited return to the rotation. The Red Sox rode a four-run fourth and late insurance to pull away, but the story that matters for the rest of August is San Diego’s rotation getting a vital piece back tonight.
Tonight isn’t just a start; it’s a reset—Michael King’s return can realign the entire staff.
Boston did its damage in bursts. Wilyer Abreu launched a two-run homer off Nick Pivetta to cap a four-run fourth, and Masataka Yoshida put it away with a two-run shot in the ninth. Pivetta’s line told the tale of a night that never settled: five runs (three earned) on five hits over six innings, with three strikeouts and three walks. The Padres’ offense managed only four singles against Walker Buehler, who blanked San Diego through six. A two-run eighth offered brief life, but the comeback never materialized.
The Padres activated RHP Michael King from the 60-day injured list after a right shoulder/long thoracic nerve injury that sidelined him since May 22. He’s officially slated to start against the Red Sox tonight, fresh off a rehab outing on August 3 in Triple-A (61 pitches over 3 1/3 innings). Beyond the feel-good factor, this is tangible rotation help at a moment San Diego needs innings and stability. Expect a managed workload early, but even 4-5 solid frames from King can recalibrate the bullpen and give the offense a cleaner runway to win a tight game.
Manny Machado entered the day with 20 home runs and a .300 average, setting the tone for a lineup that’s shown flashes of balance but struggled to string together pressure against top-tier starters. Facing Buehler, the Padres found only four singles through six and couldn’t tilt the at-bat quality their way. If King delivers length tonight, the formula is straightforward: tighter at-bats early, force Boston into the ‘pen, and let Manny’s hot season anchor the middle.
To clear space and reset the relief mix, the Padres optioned RHP Sean Reynolds to Triple-A El Paso. Reynolds had a rough go in the loss, allowing a three-run double and a two-run homer. With King returning and Pivetta eating six innings today, the club is signaling a desire to stabilize roles—reduce the emergency innings, protect leverage spots, and let the rotation drive the bus.
No coaching or front office changes, no big farm system news. The loudest notes came from the fanbase and clubhouse, with the Padres’ social channels posting King’s warmups and teammates chiming in with support. For a club pushing into the stretch run, that matters—energy can be contagious, especially when your staff gets an ace-caliber arm back.
The loss stings, but the opportunity is obvious. King’s return gives the Padres a chance to split momentum back their way, settle the bullpen, and put pressure on Boston early. Clean defense (those unearned runs loomed large), more traffic on the bases, and a quick, efficient first trip through the order from King are the three levers to pull. Do that, and you hit Sunday with the series still right there for the taking.
Bad day, great timing. The Padres didn’t have it this afternoon, but Michael King’s return is exactly the kind of reset button a playoff hopeful needs. Win tonight behind King, lean on Manny’s steady thump, and make Boston play from behind for a change.
