Dodgers Beat Padres; King Regrets Crucial Call

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on June 28, 2026, but the game's outcome left Padres pitcher Michael King deeply frustrated. King, who surrendered four runs in 4.1 innings to take his seventh loss of the season, pinpointed a critical moment in the third inning as a turning point.

With one out and a runner on second, King threw a sinker that Shohei Ohtani hit for an RBI single to left field, giving the Dodgers an early lead. "It was the wrong pitch selection," King reflected, adding that he was already unhappy with a preceding walk to Alex Freeland. "It was a terrible pitch selection."

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It was the wrong pitch selection. It was a terrible pitch selection.

The game remained tied 1-1 in the fifth inning when King's control faltered, leading to a bases-loaded situation with two walks and a hit batter. Facing Freddie Freeman, King threw a ninth-pitch sinker that grazed the inside corner of the strike zone. The official scorer's data indicated it was a strike, but the home plate umpire called it a ball, forcing in the go-ahead run. King then gave up another hit, allowing three runs in the inning and shifting the game's momentum decisively to the Dodgers.

King expressed significant regret over not challenging the umpire's call, stating, "I was angry at myself, that decision handed over the momentum of the game." He admitted he considered a challenge but ultimately did not make the call. "I don't think the team would have blamed me even if the challenge failed," he added, highlighting his belief that the missed call significantly impacted the game's result.

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I was angry at myself, that decision handed over the momentum of the game. I don't think the team would have blamed me even if the challenge failed.