Tatis homers twice as Padres beat Cubs 10-4 to improve to 11-0 at home

Key Takeaways:

• Fernando Tatis Jr. hit two home runs and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.
• The Padres improved to 11-0 at home and have the best record in the majors at 14-3.
• Tatis tied for the big league lead with six home runs, hitting five in his last six games.
• Michael Busch’s homer ended the Padres pitching staff’s 37-inning scoreless streak.
• Tatis is now second all-time at Petco Park with 67 homers.

Padres Remain Unbeaten at Home as Tatis Jr. Shines

Fernando Tatis Jr. showcased his stellar form as the San Diego Padres defeated the Chicago Cubs 10-4 on Monday night, maintaining their unbeaten home streak and securing the best record in the majors at 14-3.

Tatis Jr.’s Stellar Performance

Tatis Jr. was the star of the night, homering twice and scoring the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. With two outs in the third inning, he launched a solo homer, igniting the Padres’ offense. In the pivotal seventh inning, Tatis drew a leadoff walk, advanced on Luis Arraez’s double, and raced home on a wild pitch by Nate Pearson to break a 3-3 tie. He capped his night with a two-run shot in the eighth inning, marking his 12th career multi-homer game.

Padres Extend Unbeaten Home Run

The victory over the Cubs improved the Padres’ home record to an impressive 11-0, solidifying their position atop the league standings. Luis Arraez also contributed by hitting his second homer in the eighth, giving the Padres their first back-to-back homers of the season.

Tatis’s Hot Streak and Milestones

With six home runs overall, Tatis has tied seven other players for the big league lead, hitting five homers in his last six games. This performance places him second all-time at Petco Park with 67 homers, surpassing Adrian Gonzalez. Only teammate Manny Machado, with 91 homers, stands ahead of him.

Cubs Take Early Lead

The Cubs initially took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning. Michael Busch hit a two-run homer off Dylan Cease—his fourth of the season—after Justin Turner reached base due to a fielding error by Manny Machado. Nico Hoerner and Pete Crow-Armstrong followed with consecutive doubles, adding to the Cubs’ early advantage. Busch’s homer ended a remarkable 37-inning scoreless streak by San Diego’s pitching staff, dating back to the third inning of their game against the Athletics.

Padres Rally to Victory

The Padres tied the game in the sixth inning, aided by a fortunate break when Gavin Sheets’ pop fly fell between left fielder Ian Happ and shortstop Dansby Swanson. In the seventh, after Tatis scored on the wild pitch, Sheets added a two-run single, extending the Padres’ lead. Adrian Morejon (1-0) secured the win for San Diego, further bolstering the team’s confidence.

Looking Ahead

The series continues on Tuesday night, with Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga (2-1, 2.70 ERA) scheduled to face Padres right-hander Randy Vásquez (1-1, 1.72 ERA). The Padres will aim to maintain their unbeaten home record, while the Cubs will look to bounce back and even the series.