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Unexpected Padres Pitcher Makes History in 21-0 Shutout

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated May 11, 2025 4:14 PM ET

When the San Diego Padres rolled into Coors Field on Friday to face the 6-31 Colorado Rockies, they looked forward to a likely slugfest.

In the series opener Friday night, they set a season-high with 13 runs scored in a 13-9 win. On Saturday night, they upped the ante in a major way, turning in an eye-popping 21-0 win over the lowly Rockies.

The most important story was that five Padres: Fernando Tatis Jr, Luis Arraez, Jake Cronenworth, Gavin Sheets and Jason Heyward all totaled three RBIs in the win.

Quietly, while the offense poured it on, reliever Stephen Kolek achieved history with a complete game shutout.

Kolek threw a complete game shutout in his fourth career start: he made 44 appearances in 2024, with 42 out of the bullpen.

With the Padres winning by 21, Kolek etched his name in the history books as having collected one of the largest wins in a shutout in MLB history.

largest wins in a pitcher’s individual shutout:

8/21/1883 Old Hoss Radbourn 28-0, Providence Grays
6/28/1887 Charlie J. Ferguson 24-0, PHI
5/27/1885 Mickey Welch 24-0, NYG
7/6/1883 Will White 23-0, CIN
Today Stephen Kolek 21-0, SD
8/13/39 Red Ruffing 21-0, NYY (8 inn)
9/15/1901…
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 11, 2025

Kolek's 21-run margin of victory in the Padres' head-turning win was the most since Red Ruffing in 1939, with the game becoming significantly more competitive over the past century.

Kolek's start on Saturday was his second appearance and start of the season, and he now has 14 1/3 scoreless innings to start the year. Kolek threw 5 1/3 scoreless frames against the Pirates on May 4th.

The Padres tallied 24 total hits, and 11 of the 12 hitters to register an at-bat got a hit.

The 21-run win was the largest in Padres history, according to MLB.com beat writer AJ Cassavell. The Padres have outscored Colorado 34-9 in the first two games, which feels more appropriate for a football game.

They will look to sweep on Sunday with Nick Pivetta on the mound.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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