Sep 26, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates with shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – Fernando Tatís Jr. returned to the lineup Friday night looking for a spark, and he delivered the biggest swing of the Padres’ season so far. After missing three games with an illness, Tatís blasted a fourth-inning grand slam that sent Petco Park into a frenzy and powered San Diego to a 7-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
The victory eliminated Arizona from postseason contention and kept the Friars’ slim hopes of hosting the National League Wild Card series alive. At 88–72, the Padres still trail the Cubs (90–70) in that race, but with two games left, there’s at least a chance. For San Diego, that’s enough motivation to keep pushing.
The night belonged to Tatís. With the Padres trailing 2-1 in the fourth, Ryan O’Hearn singled in Xander Bogaerts to tie it up. Then with the bases loaded and two outs, Tatís worked a full count against Arizona ace Zac Gallen. The next pitch — a fastball over the plate — didn’t last long. Tatís launched it 409 feet into the left-field second deck, stood and admired, then jogged around the bases as Petco shook. It was his fourth career slam and 24th homer of the season, and it flipped the game from 2-1 Arizona to 5-2 San Diego in an instant.
Yu Darvish, who is trying to secure a spot in the Wild Card rotation, turned in a steady outing. He gave up just two solo homers across five innings, striking out four and showing the kind of composure that’s made him a reliable big-game pitcher throughout his career. With Nick Pivetta lined up for Game 1, Darvish’s performance keeps him firmly in the mix for Game 2 or a possible Game 3 alongside Michael King and Dylan Cease.
The Padres nearly let things slip in the eighth. Holding a 6-2 lead, Kyle Hart walked the first two hitters he faced. David Morgan followed by walking three straight — two with the bases loaded — forcing in a pair of runs. The Petco crowd groaned, and Shildt wasted no time calling on closer Mason Miller.
Miller answered with fire. Facing Jorge Barrosa with the tying run on base, he unleashed five pitches over 100 mph, blowing the D-back away and preserving the lead. Jackson Merrill’s RBI single in the bottom half gave San Diego extra insurance, and Miller finished the ninth with two more strikeouts for his 22nd save.
The Padres still need a lot of help if they want to open the playoffs at home. They’ll have to win their last two while hoping the Cubs lose both of theirs to the Cardinals. Chicago plays early Saturday, so by the time Michael King takes the mound against Eduardo Rodríguez, San Diego will know whether the dream of hosting is alive or if they’re headed to Wrigley Field.
Either way, Tatís’ slam was another reminder: this team is dangerous, no matter where October takes them.
