Fernando Tatis Jr. Believes Padres Are Never Out of a Game

Fernando Tatis Jr. thinks the Padres are always in it after their first extra innings win of 2024.

Apr 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres currently sit at an even 8-9, but their wins this year look drastically different than last year. At times last year, it looked as if the team gave up after falling behind early in games. This year, the team fights and claws its way back to secure victories.

The latest example of this came on Friday night. After falling to a 7-2 deficit against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Friars would go on to win the game in extra innings 8-7 thanks to a Jackson Merrill single.

After the game, superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. told reporters he believes this team always has a chance to win no matter the score.

“We have done this since the second game of the season, and we have been getting the same results,” Tatis said. “I’ve been saying we’re never out of the game, and we keep pushing that that line for that guy behind us.”

Tatis played an integral role in the comeback as his three-run home run in the seventh inning tied the game at seven.

In 2023, the Padres did not win a game in extra innings until September 28. Their overall record in extra-inning games was a paltry 2-12.

That trend also bled over into one-run games where they had a 9-23 record in 2023. This year, not only have they come back from a five-run deficit twice, but they have a 3-2 record in one-run games.

Even with the core players returning from last year, this team has a different air about them. They play better in tight situations and play, overall, selfless baseball.

Team captain Joe Musgrove noted this as well. He praised closer Robert Suarez for getting a four-out save on April 5 to secure a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals - something the team lacked last year. Coincidentally, Suarez locked down a second four-out save against the Dodgers in the 8-7 victory.

It's still early in the season, but the Padres are showing the positive signs of a team that could really make some noise in October.