Fernando Tatis Jr.'s walk-off single sealed a 6-5 Padres win over the Rangers on July 6, 2025. Recap Tatis's heroics and Machado's HR in this thriller.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was pure magic at Petco Park on Sunday. Bottom of the ninth, game tied, two outs, and Jackson Merrill standing on second base. Up stepped Fernando Tatis Jr., who capped a brilliant day by lacing a single into the outfield, sending the downtown crowd into a frenzy and securing a thrilling 6-5 walk-off victory for the San Diego Padres over the Texas Rangers.
Vamos Padres!
The game was a nail-biter from the start, but the Padres saved their best for last. Tatis, who finished the day 3-for-5 with two crucial RBIs and a stolen base, extended his hitting streak to a blistering 11 games. His heroics were necessary after a tense affair that saw both teams trade blows. Manny Machado provided earlier fireworks with a towering solo home run in the seventh, his 18th of the season, tying him for the team lead. The dugout celebration, captured on the team's social media and led by Machado and Xander Bogaerts mobbing Tatis, was a perfect snapshot of a team firing on all cylinders.
While the offense provided the final spark, the pitching staff held the line. Joe Musgrove delivered a quality start, battling for 6 innings and keeping the Padres in the game. Robert Suarez locked it down in the ninth to earn a well-deserved win. But perhaps the most exciting development on the mound was the MLB debut of Eduarniel Núñez. The 23-year-old righty, just called up from El Paso, showed electric stuff, tossing a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts. Manager Mike Shildt was quick to praise his 'electric fastball and poise,' signaling a potentially significant new weapon in the bullpen as Matt Waldron was optioned to Triple-A.
The man who scored the winning run, Jackson Merrill, is making waves of his own. Currently on a rehab assignment with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, the top prospect is clearly ready for his return to the big leagues. He had a monster night for the Chihuahuas just before rejoining the Padres, going 3-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBI. His speed on the basepaths in the ninth inning was a direct result of that readiness. With Merrill expected to be activated later this week, the Friars are about to get another major boost to their lineup.
With this dramatic win, the Padres improve to 48-40, solidifying their spot in the tight NL Wild Card race. The energy from Sunday's walk-off, the emergence of a new power arm in Núñez, and the imminent return of Jackson Merrill have created a palpable buzz. This is the kind of victory that can propel a team, and as the Padres look ahead, they do so with momentum, confidence, and reinforcements on the way.
