SAN DIEGO – Fernando Tatis Jr. hit an RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning to give the San Diego Padres a 6-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.
In that second game after being on the injured list since June 22, Tatis hit a single to left fielder Jason Foley (3-5), bringing in automatic runner Jackson Merrill, who hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning and was just shy of the cycle as the Padres overcame a 5-0 deficit.
It was Tatis’ first walkoff hit of his career.
“A very long time,” said Tatis, who reached the majors in 2019 and missed the entire 2022 season due to injuries and a PED suspension. “I’m glad it got here.”
Due to a stress reaction in his right femur, he had to take a break from June 22nd to Monday.
The Tigers intentionally ran Luis Arraez to get to Tatis.
“I took it personally,” Tatis said. “When I saw four fingers up. But I felt the push I needed, the energy I needed, and I just wanted to be there for the guys.”
Tatis’ jersey was ripped off during a wild celebration near third base. He said half of it was ripped off during the celebration and he finished it off.
“It just happened. I saw it dark and then I didn’t have my jersey anymore. It was beautiful. Hopefully it will happen more often. Just a great moment in every way,” said Tatis, who threw the jersey into the stands.
When asked if it was wise to intentionally let Arraez run away from Tatis, Merrill said, “I understand that, but go ahead, good luck. Let him run to get to Tatis.”
Manager Mike Shildt said: “Oh man, what a big moment. I don’t think there was any real doubt he was going to make it. It felt pretty right. Good for him. He had a really good chance to hit tonight.”
Jeremiah Estrada (5-2) pitched the 10th inning for the win.
Padres right-hander Yu Darvish was activated from the injured list and made his first start since May 29. He allowed three runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings, striking out four times and walking two. During that time, Darvish was on both the injured list (with a left groin strain) and the restricted list (for family reasons).
Darvish trailed 3-0 after allowing a two-out solo home run to Matt Vierling in the first inning, his 16th, and a run each in the second and third innings.
The Tigers took a 5-0 lead in the fourth when rookie Trey Sweeney hit a two-run home run to deep right field against Yuki Matsui, his second.
The Padres began their comeback when left-handed Merrill hit a three-pointer to left, his 22nd home run, giving him 82 RBI and breaking the rookie record of 79 set by Benito Santiago in 1987.
Merrill has come on strong in the second half and is giving Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes a run for NL Rookie of the Year honors. Merrill was named NL Rookie of the Month for August on Tuesday. The 21-year-old was a coveted shortstop prospect but was moved to center field in spring training to replace Trent Grisham, who was traded to the New York Yankees along with Juan Soto in a blockbuster trade on Dec. 7.
Tatis doubled in the fifth and was on base for Manny Machado’s single to left with one out that tied the score at 5-5 and chased starter Keider Montero.
Montero allowed five runs and seven hits, striking out twice and walking twice.
Next
Tigers RHP Casey Mize (2-6, 4.25 ERA) and Padres LHP Martín Pérez (4-5, 4.71) are scheduled to start the series finale on Thursday night.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
