Tatis' electric Game 1 was much more than just his historic leadoff HR

Fernando Tatis Jr. jumped all over the first pitch Cubs starter Matthew Boyd threw on Tuesday night, sending Petco Park into an absolute frenzy with a home run to center field. It was the first leadoff homer in Padres postseason history.

And yet, it might not have been the most electric play of Tatis’ night, one that helped San Diego win a raucous Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series over the Cubs, 8-0.

In the seventh inning, with the Padres already leading 7-0, Tatis beat out an infield single to lead off the inning. He took off for second base during the ensuing at-bat and slid into the bag for what was shaping up to be a close play. But the throw from Cubs catcher Carson Kelly got away from shortstop Dansby Swanson and kicked into shallow left field.

Tatis immediately darted for third base and never slowed down. He slid in head-first to home plate, beating a late throw from the outfield. Tatis then lifted himself to his knees and let out a triumphant scream.

“Both [the home run and steal] were crazy. After that score, after that stolen base, I said to a couple people, I was screaming, ‘I'm going to pass out!’” Tatis said after the win, “just because all the energy and what was going on while it was happening.”

Which play was more enjoyable for Tatis?

“But starting a game, being at home and hitting a first pitch home run like that, it just gets everybody going. It brings more energy to the boys. That's what it's all about,” he said. “I feel like those two plays were just good baseball plays. But just energy. I feel like that's what matters the most for the boys.”

Tatis’ running mate, Manny Machado, had a dissenting opinion. “I would take the stolen base and score from first,” Machado said to laughter. The Padres' star third baseman also homered off Boyd in the first inning and drove in Tatis with a third-inning double.

“I think it's just the energy, our fans, our group, how we're feeling playing at home, all that stuff just adds together, and you feel like your blood is running inside your body so fast,” Tatis said. “You have that adrenaline on your side, so might as well take advantage of it.”

The Padres, and certainly the home faithful, will take both plays.

They helped set up a chance to win the best-of-three Wild Card Series in Game 2 on Wednesday, with Nick Pivetta squaring off against the Cubs’ Kevin Gausman. History is on San Diego’s side, as teams taking a 1-0 lead in a three-game Wild Card Series have gone on to win the series 21 of 24 times (88%), including 17 two-game sweeps. Home teams have won all nine series in which they have gone ahead 1-0, including eight sweeps.

“Yeah, we couldn't script it any better,” Tatis said. “Today was a beautiful baseball night over here for every San Diegan."