Padres Stage Impressive 8-0 Comeback, Shock Cubs in Historic Win
Monday night’s game between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs was one for the history books. Not only was the city of San Diego celebrating the 20th anniversary of Petco Park, but the Padres also staged an incredible comeback, rallying from an eight-run deficit to defeat the Cubs 9-8. This victory equaled the largest comeback win in franchise history.
The Cubs started strong, scoring four runs in the second inning against Padres pitcher Yu Darvish. They added four more runs in the fourth, seemingly putting the game out of reach for San Diego. However, the Padres refused to give up. In the sixth inning, they exploded with a seven-run rally, their highest-scoring inning since August 5, 2023, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But the highlight of the game came in the bottom of the eighth inning. After being brushed back by a pitch from Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay, Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres’ star shortstop, smashed the next pitch for a go-ahead two-run homer. The crowd erupted in cheers as Tatis rounded the bases, sealing the Padres’ improbable comeback.
Tatis, who had gone hitless in his first three at-bats and narrowly missed making a spectacular catch earlier in the game, credited his teammates for their resilience. “We were down 8-0, but we were never out of the game,” Tatis said. “We kept taking good at-bats against tough pitches, and we just kept believing in each other.”
This remarkable comeback was not the first time the Padres had erased an eight-run deficit. On July 8, 2021, they achieved a similar feat when pitcher Daniel Camarena hit a grand slam off Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer for his first career hit. Some players debated whether Monday’s comeback surpassed that historic game, but first baseman Jake Cronenworth acknowledged the significance of both. “You have a pitcher get his first hit, and it’s a grand slam off Max Scherzer — that’s pretty epic,” Cronenworth said. “Also a pretty epic comeback tonight.”
Cronenworth played a crucial role in Monday’s resurgence. In the sixth inning, he hit a two-run homer that kick-started the Padres’ rally. The team followed his lead, with Manny Machado, Jurickson Profar, Ha-Seong Kim, Jackson Merrill, and Xander Bogaerts all contributing to the seven-run inning.
According to the Padres, their comeback actually began two innings earlier when Tatis narrowly missed making a catch at the wall. Manager Mike Shildt encouraged Tatis to continue giving his all, and the young star promised to fight until the end. Their determination paid off as the Padres completed their stunning comeback.
This victory marked the franchise’s fourth eight-run comeback win. They previously achieved this feat on June 16, 1974, against the Pittsburgh Pirates and on May 23, 1970, against the San Francisco Giants. The Padres’ ability to rally from large deficits has become a trend this season, with the team scoring five or more runs in an inning four times already in 2024.
Manager Mike Shildt praised his team’s resilience and credited their identity as winners. He emphasized their ability to find solutions, improve throughout the game, and never give up regardless of the circumstances. The Padres have already proven their determination multiple times this season and showcased it once again on Monday night.
The Padres’ historic comeback against the Cubs will go down as one of the most memorable moments in franchise history. It showcased their resilience, teamwork, and never-say-die attitude. As the city of San Diego celebrated the 20th anniversary of Petco Park, the Padres gave their fans a game they will never forget.