Inside The Padres

Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr Makes WBC History With Grand Slam for Dominican Republic

He already appears to be in midseason form.
Noah Camras|
Mar 6, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Dominican Republic right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates scoring a run in the first inning against Nicaragua at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Mar 6, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Dominican Republic right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates scoring a run in the first inning against Nicaragua at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

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San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is currently suiting up for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

He made history on Monday in the team's matchup against Israel.

Tatis hit a second inning grand slam to break the game open, 5-0. According to MLB researcher Sarah Langs, it was the first grand slam for the Dominican Republic in WBC history.

Tatis was able to generate the big swing after his teammates drew four walks in the inning, including one with the bases loaded to bring in a run. The grand slam brought the house down, as any Dominican Republic home run has done this tournament.

The Dominican Republic team is one of the favorites to win the whole tournament as they have a lineup littered with superstars. Tatis and Padres teammate Manny Machado are leading the charge alongside ex-Padre and current New York Mets superstar Juan Soto. Other stars in the lineup include Ketel Marte, Julio Rodriguez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., among others.

The Dominican Republic has dominated pool play thus far, beating Nicaragua by a score of 12-3 and Netherlands by a score of 12-1. A win on Monday would send them through pool play and into the quarterfinals.

Padres stars showing out in World Baseball Classic

Tatis' historic swing on Monday has been the biggest moment by a Padre this tournament, but it's far from the only noteworthy one.

Machado set the baseball world on fire when he made back-to-back dazzling plays at third base in the Dominican Republic's first game of the tournament.

Machado also has three hits this tournament, while his Padres teammate, Wandy Peralta, has pitched one scoreless inning for the Dominican Republic.

Elsewhere, Xander Bogaerts has three hits for the Netherlands, while Alek Jacob has 1.1 shutout innings, three strikeouts and a win for Team Italy. Ron Marinaccio, also on Team Italy, has pitched 0.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Finally, Mason Miller has pitched one shutout inning for Team USA, striking out three.

World Baseball Classic elimination scenarios for Padres players

The Dominican Republic appears well on their way to advancing to the quarterfinals, meaning at least three Padres will move on to the next round. USA and Italy are both 2-0 in Pool B; two of USA, Italy and Mexico will advance, with the other being eliminated.

The Netherlands will be eliminated with a Dominican Republic win on Monday.

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Noah Camras
NOAH CAMRAS

Noah Camras graduated from the University of Southern California in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in sports media studies. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and has extensively covered Southern California sports in his career. Noah is the publisher of Padres on SI after contributing as a writer and editor over the last three years.

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