San Diego. – With a high level of sacrifice in extra innings, Dominican Fernando Tatis Jr. became the hero of the night by sealing the victory of the San Diego Padres 4-3 over the Cincinnati Reds, in a duel full of emotion and key for the final stretch of the season.

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The game, played at Petco Park, was marked by tension from the start, when the Padres overcame a three-run deficit thanks to a rally in the sixth inning. Jackson Merrill tied the game with a run-scoring triple after a hit that dramatically fell in center field, while Tatis ignited the offense with a single and a stolen base. Already in the tenth inning, after a sacrifice bunt by the Venezuelan Freddy Fermín that caused a defensive error, Tatis defined with a deep fly ball to left field, driving in the winning run and unleashing the euphoria of the fans. It was the fourth walk-off hit of the Dominican’s career and his second this season. “We just keep fighting. That’s what this team does,” said manager Mike Shildt, highlighting the collective execution that included a dominant bullpen with six relievers combining for 4.1 scoreless innings. The victory allowed the Padres to stay one game behind the Dodgers in the fight for the National League West Division, as well as getting closer in the Wild Card race, where they are closely following the Cubs. With this triumph, San Diego added its third consecutive victory, leaving behind a complicated stretch in which it had lost nine of 11 games. “Every game is vital now. We’re playing complete baseball,” said designated hitter Gavin Sheets, offensive protagonist with four base hits and two doubles.