Tatis' 1st ASG experience 'a dream come true'

Just how badly did Fernando Tatis Jr. want to dazzle in his first All-Star Game?

Well, Tatis flied out twice -- "just missed those two," he later said -- and his reactions to both fly balls told the entire story.

Anguish the moment he put bat on ball, with that trademark smile returning moments later.

Fernando Tatis Jr., ladies and gentlemen.

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Tatis did not record a hit in his first All-Star Game, a 5-2 National League loss at Coors Field in Colorado on Tuesday night. But it's safe to say the 22-year-old superstar might get a few more opportunities.

"It's a dream come true," Tatis said. "What can I say, I've been dreaming about this since I can remember. ... Just thinking about all the shortstops that start an All-Star Game, being next to them now, it makes me very happy."

Tatis went 0-for-2, but two of his fellow Padres infielders shined brightly. Manny Machado singled in his lone at-bat in the sixth and advanced to second base on an error. He also scored one of the NL’s two runs, coming home on a passed ball later that inning.

Jake Cronenworth worked a pesky (and Cronenworth-like) seven-pitch walk in his first plate appearance in the sixth, before lining out in the eighth. In a bit of a surprise, Cronenworth, the Padres' starting second baseman, entered the game at first base.

With no backup first baseman on the NL bench, Cronenworth assumed the role. He made a nice defensive play in the eighth, going to second to nab Joey Wendle for a forceout.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Cronenworth said. “It’s just an experience I hope a ton of players get to have, because it’s something super special, to spend it with the guys in that room.”

On the mound, San Diego right-hander Mark Melancon faced two batters in the eighth, striking out Toronto's Bo Bichette and walking Texas' Joey Gallo. (Yu Darvish, who is on the injured list with left hip inflammation, did not make the trip.)

The Padres' five All-Stars were their most since 1998 (also the last time they reached the World Series). Tatis became the first San Diego position player to start the All-Star Game since Tony Gwynn in '98, and he was the first Padres player to serve as the NL's leadoff man since Gwynn in '91.

Earlier in the day, Tatis stole the show on the purple carpet, rocking a fresh pink suit as he entered Coors Field alongside his family on Tuesday afternoon. He was mic'd up during the bottom of the third inning, too, after flying out against Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani in the first.

"He gave me everything -- I thought he was going to give me only fastballs," Tatis said. "Come on, man. You throw 100 [mph]! But sliders -- the sliders were good. And a split-finger and two fastballs."

Then, Tatis paused.

"He got lucky this time," he added, wryly.

Tatis later raved about the entire experience, specifically his chance to interact with his fellow superstars.

"You definitely grow over here as a player, just having a chance to talk one-on-ones with the best baseball players in the world, sharing the experience, talking a little bit about how they do it and how they started," Tatis said. "It's just amazing, seeing so many different stories, so many different cultures, it's something that I really embrace."

It was Tatis' first All-Star Game. Same with Cronenworth. It was Machado's fifth.

"They're all like my first," Machado was quick to say. "Just enjoying it, seeing the guys around the clubhouse is the best part about it. You play against these guys at a high level, always competing against them. Just to see them in a different environment, it's always fun to see."

The Padres' All-Stars will get a couple days of rest before they open the second half in Washington on Friday night.

"I think everybody knows when I get a little bit of rest, how I come back," Tatis quipped.

Indeed, Tatis has been sidelined three times this season for various health-related reasons. He's homered in his first game back all three times.