Oct 8, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

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Fernando Tatis Jr and Robert Suarez shine as Padres take 2-1 lead on Dodgers

Tatis Jr. ignites a six-run rally as the Padres edge past the Dodgers in a nail-biting 6-5 victory

Fernando Tatis Jr. blasted a towering two-run homer, igniting a six-run surge in the second inning, as the San Diego Padres narrowly defeated Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-5, on Tuesday night. This win gave the Padres a 2-1 edge in a heated NL Division Series.

Now, the Padres are just one win away from knocking the Dodgers out of the NLDS for the second time in three years. A record crowd of 47,744 fans will gather at Petco Park on Wednesday night for Game 4, waving rally towels and cheering their team.

The stadium erupted when Robert Suarez struck out Gavin Lux on a full-count pitch, securing a dramatic four-out save.

Fernando Tatis Jr. shared how much he feeds off the crowd’s enthusiasm

“I feel like I take it to another level; my mindset, my body. Everything is through the roof,” Tatis said.

Manager Mike Shildt also chimed in, “He likes it. He’s one of the many guys on our team that appreciates and enjoys bright lights and embraces it. He just wants to go play and perform.”

NANDO! PANDEMONIUM!!! #NLDS pic.twitter.com/mEWBVBqMrc
— MLB (@MLB) October 9, 2024

Tatis has been on fire this postseason, going 10-for-18 with four home runs, seven RBIs, two doubles, and three walks. His stats stand at a .556 batting average, .636 on-base percentage, and a 1.333 slugging percentage. This led to a jaw-dropping 1.970 OPS—the highest ever recorded in a single postseason (minimum 20 plate appearances).

It doesn’t stop there. In his 11 career playoff appearances, Fernando Tatis Jr. has hit six home runs, collected 12 RBIs, four doubles, and drawn eight walks while striking out only seven times. His postseason slash line is an impressive .425/.531/.975, with a 1.506 OPS—the fourth highest in MLB history through 11 games.

Tatis hasn’t had an easy journey; he’s battled injuries, adjusted to a position change, and served a PED suspension. Yet, this postseason, he’s showing everyone exactly who he is.

Robert Suarez lived up to the hype

Cheers and shouts echoed beyond Petco Park’s stands on Tuesday night, but no moment was louder than when closer Robert Suarez locked down the victory.

Suarez came in clutch, striking out Max Muncy, getting Will Smith to ground out, and then fanning Gavin Lux, locking down the Padres’ second straight win after they dropped the opener in the best-of-five.

With Robert Suárez’s strikeout of Gavin Lux, the San Diego Padres clinched a 2-1 lead in their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

San Diego goes ALL OUT when Robert Suarez takes the mound 😤 #NLDS pic.twitter.com/dv7TzSSaHn
— MLB (@MLB) October 9, 2024

“What a game, man,” Xander Bogaerts said. “I mean, 6-1, Teoscar had a great swing, 6-5. And it stays that way. You know, probably no one thought it would have stayed that way after all that offense. … The bullpen kept that game right there. It’s an unbelievable job.”

This rivalry continues to deliver

The animosity between the Dodgers and Padres is well-known, and their clashes over the years have proven that. Ever since the Padres began their recent rise, the two teams have consistently produced thrilling, action-packed games. Tuesday night was no different.

The rivalry has featured explosive moments—players taking jabs at each other, managers making snarky comments in press conferences, and, of course, some fantastic baseball games.

This annual showdown between the two franchises has turned into the best entertainment MLB offers. It’s become the most electrifying rivalry west of the Mississippi—maybe the best in the entire league. And for fans, it’s only getting more thrilling with each game.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

Robert Suarez

Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
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