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.
Playing just his second game after having been on the injured list since June 22, Tatis singled to left field off Jason Foley (3–5) to bring in automatic runner Jackson Merrill, who hit a three-run homer in the fourth and finished a triple shy of the cycle as the Padres overcame a 5–0 deficit.
It was Tatis’ first career walk-off hit.
“A very long time,” said Tatis, who reached the major leagues in 2019 and missed the entire 2022 season due to injuries and a PED suspension. “I’m happy it came here.”
He was sidelined from June 22 until Monday with a stress reaction in his right thighbone.
The Tigers intentionally walked Luis Arraez to get to Tatis.
“I took it personal, as soon as I saw four fingers up,“ Tatis said. ”But I felt the push I needed, the energy I needed, and I just wanted to come through for the boys.”
Tatis’ jersey was ripped off during a wild celebration near third base. He said half of it broke away during the celebration and he finished it off.
“It just happened. I saw dark and then I had no shirt. It was beautiful. Hopefully it comes more. Just a great moment all the way around,” said Tatis, who tossed the jersey into the stands.
Asked about the wisdom of intentionally walking Arraez ahead of Tatis, Merrill said: “I get it, but go ahead. Good luck. Walk him to get to Tatis.”
Said Padres Manager Mike Shildt: “Oh man, what a big moment. I don’t think there was any real doubt he was going to come through. It felt pretty right. Good for him. He had really good at-bats tonight.”
Jeremiah Estrada (5–2) pitched the 10th for the victory.
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, struck out four, and walked two. During that span, Darvish had been on both the IL, with a left groin strain, and the restricted list due to a family matter.
Darvish left trailing 3–0 after allowing a two-out solo homer to Matt Vierling in the first, his 16th, and one run each in the second and third.
The Tigers went up 5–0 in the fourth when rookie Trey Sweeney hit a two-run home run, his second, to deep right off Yuki Matsui.
The Padres started their rally when the lefty-hitting Merrill muscled his three-run shot to left field. It was his 22nd homer and gave him 82 RBIs, breaking the team rookie record of 79 set by Benito Santiago in 1987.
Merrill has come on strong in the second half and is pushing Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes in the race for National League Rookie of the Year. Merrill on Tuesday was named National League Rookie of the Month. The 21-year-old was a prized shortstop prospect but was moved to center field in spring training to replace Trent Grisham, who went 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 it at 5–5 and chased Tigers starter Keider Montero.
