Tatis (3 RBIs) provides Padres coveted spark

CHICAGO -- The Padres know the talent that Fernando Tatis Jr. brings to the team. Tatis also knows that he can get back to that MVP-type caliber player. And while he hasn’t gotten off to the fast start he’d hoped for, his first clutch moment of the season was coming.

His go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning helped the Padres beat the Cubs, 5-3, on Wednesday evening at Wrigley Field. That was Tatis’ first go-ahead hit of the year and the fifth go-ahead hit in the seventh or later in his career -- his first since July 21, 2021, against the Braves.

“Set it up for him with a bunt and [he] comes through in a big spot,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It’s not a surprise. He seems to be one of those guys that is timely in those big spots. I know he likes to be up there with guys on base.”

After going 17-for-33 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs in eight games at Triple-A El Paso, Tatis had been slow out of the gate for the Padres in his return from suspension for testing positive for a performance enhancing drug.

Entering Wednesday, he was just 4-for-22 at the plate with one home run, one RBI, and six strikeouts in six games. But then, the former All Star put together a much-needed 2-for-5 day with three RBIs. The Padres hope it's the spark needed to get him going.

“Just getting back to playing, more than anything,” Melvin said of Tatis’ first couple of games. “Now he’s playing a new spot in the outfield and there’s a lot on his plate. But those are the type of situations that he thrives in, loves to be up in, and came through a couple of times for us tonight.”

Tatis’ clutch moment in Wednesday’s win came with runners on second and third in the seventh inning. The slugging outfielder waited back and connected on an 83.6 mph slider from Cubs pitcher Brandon Hughes that got through the left side of the infield to score both runs and make the score 4-3.

Then in the ninth, Tatis gave the Padres an extra insurance run by singling home a run. His three RBIs are the most in a game for him since Sept. 11, 2021.

And he showed some emotion on both RBI hits in the game.

“It’s been such a long time and I was just bringing back emotion,” Tatis said. “It’s been kind of a rough start for us and just pumping, just pushing, being loud, and being there with my teammates and just enjoy it.”

Tatis came into this year without playing in a Major League game for 563 days. He also moved from his familiar shortstop to the outfield to make way for newcomer Xander Bogaerts. There were going to be some struggles to begin the year -- hitting against big league pitchers again and playing a new position.

But with just six games under his belt, the Padres are seeing glimpses of the old Tatis and the difference he can make in games on both sides.

In Tuesday’s 6-0 loss, Tatis made a nice grab in right field to rob a base hit, which at the time was only a 2-0 game. Then on Wednesday, the former All-Star showed his breakout with his bat.

“That was great,” reliever Nick Martinez said. “Great cushion that he provided us and you know, he’s a weapon.”

Tatis has now hit safely in five of the six games he’s played, but has just one extra-base hit in 27 plate appearances. El Niño, though, isn’t worried about it.

“Big league pitchers are making big league pitches and when that happens, you tip your cap off,” he said. “I’m happy that I’m just picking up my singles a day at a time and just getting on base. I feel like in the right moment, I’m going to get hot and big balls are going to start coming out of my bat.”

As a team, the Padres haven’t gotten off to the best start. They’re 13-13 and the bats have been fairly quiet. They’ve been shut out five times this season and average just 3.73 runs per game.

Will Tatis’ three-RBI night provide the spark?

“I’ve been waiting for him for a year-plus,” Melvin said. “One of the lures of getting an opportunity to come over here was Fernando Tatis Jr. Finally got him back in the lineup and you know, nights like this shows you why we need him.”