Michael King and Jackson Merrill powered the San Diego Padres to a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday at Petco Park, with both players contributing to what MLB.com identified as a potential key stretch-run momentum shift for the home team.
King, the Padres starter, pitched six innings and struck out six while allowing the Astros to score just two runs. His performance capped a solid pitching matchup against Astros right-hander Peter Lambert, who entered with a 3.06 ERA. The two held up their end of the pitching duel, though Houston's offense was unable to break through.
Merrill, batting for San Diego, hit a solo home run and drove in another run in the contest. The Padres and Astros entered play tied at 60-57, with Houston holding the first-place tiebreaker. The loss ended the Astros' stretch of momentum in their six-game road trip.