NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 8, 2024

David Peralta

Fernando Tatis Jr.

Petco Park

San Diego Padres

Postgame 3 Press Conference

Padres - 6, Dodgers - 5

Q. Fernando, you've been a part of this since you were a rookie, building to this moment. It seems like there's no fear in this group. Is that something that you felt like you've been building as a team for a couple of years now?

FERNANDO TATIS JR.: Yeah, definitely no fear. But that's something that you build through the years, getting experience playing against those guys. And definitely no fear.

We're showing up to play the best baseball we can, especially knowing that the type of group that we're facing. We're just showing up and playing ball.

Q. You obviously hit a lot of big home runs here, but how did that one here tonight rate as far as the crowd noise? What did you say to your dugout because you were obviously saying something to the dugout on the way to first base?

FERNANDO TATIS JR.: Definitely on the noise, that has to be up there. I guess so. And, man, when I hit it, I don't know, I just blacked out, started screaming at my dugout, just the energy through the roof, especially that type of inning that we built after two outs.

But I get the big double, people on base, it was just momentum and just definitely a beautiful finish at the end of that inning.

Q. Fernando, this is your first time playing like a legitimate MLB postseason, because in 2020 there weren't fans for most of it. What has this experience been like? I'm sure you've thought about it a lot in your mind going into this, but what has it been like so far?

FERNANDO TATIS JR.: It's just beautiful. Definitely rewarding through everything I've been through, through what we've been through as a group. Building together to get over here is just really, really hard work from the front office, from the players, getting involved, putting their heart into it.

And, man, when you play baseball like this in the postseason, you get all those memories back. You just feel grateful where you're at. And just embracing every single moment and definitely not taking it for granted.

Q. You've talked before about how you liked your experience playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Is there something about the energy of these environments that you think brings out the best in you?

FERNANDO TATIS JR.: Definitely. Definitely. I feed off that type of energy. When the fans are coming, meaningful games, leave everything you have out there. I feel like I just take it to another level of my mindset, my body, just everything is just through the roof.

Q. David, you had six at-bats in the postseason last year. You had surgery. I think you were released. What does it mean for to you contribute the way you have these last few days?

DAVID PERALTA: Well, it means a lot to me, especially the way I started this year. I was going through -- gotta go play in Triple-A and try to find a way back to the big leagues.

And finally the San Diego Padres gave me an opportunity and believed in me that I could help the team to do this. I'm just grateful, especially being around this great guy and all of my teammates. They all supported me, believed in me.

And it's a special moment being in this position now and do my part to help to win for the team.

Q. You were on the opposite side when the Padres did not live up to expectations. How is your view of what's in the Padres' clubhouse last year, evolve to this year?

DAVID PERALTA: Every team is different. Like this year, it's hard to describe, like, how good we are. I mean, I think like everyone asked -- if you asked every single player on our team, how can you describe that, it's crazy.

Like we all together, we do everything together, no matter what the situation, whatever goes down, it's like, don't worry, we have your back. It's the trust and the love we have in the clubhouse.

And we build a clubhouse, not just a clubhouse, it's a family room. And we care about each other every single time, like, no matter what's the situation that goes down, don't worry, we've got your back. That's what we do. We did it today.

Q. Unlike Fernando, you're new to this group, to this organization. Was there a moment this year where you realized how good you could be but also the type of character you had in the room?

DAVID PERALTA: I think I realized that first time I stepped in the clubhouse in Cincinnati when I got called up to the big leagues. I saw this group. I know this guy; I've been playing against this guys for a long time.

And it's just a matter of time, like, hey, I'm here. And they just welcomed me. And it's just a great group of guys.

We're all together like brotherhood. And we go out there and have fun and do our job and do our thing. And we're good, man. We're good.

Q. Fernando, this team has had a wonderful second half, obviously, but do you feel it's possible you're playing as a team the best baseball the Padres have played so far this season?

FERNANDO TATIS JR.: I would say so. Just because probably in the spot we are right now as a group. But as well as we're playing, I see us playing even better of what we are right now.

There's definitely guys in our lineup that probably haven't put the -- what can I say? -- show their strength right now in the moment.

As Peralta said, we pick up each other. We have each other's back. But I definitely have no doubt that us as a group, we can even put more pressure and we can even play better baseball than we have the last few days.

Q. Are you aware -- I'm sure you are -- but can you talk about the fact that the Tatis family has had a number of historic landmark home runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers?

FERNANDO TATIS JR.: Definitely embrace that. Those were definitely the first steps. My dad started everything. He was my mentor. He brought me to this game. He showed me this game. He showed me what this game really meant for so many people in the United States, all around the world.

Me as a kid growing up, I just wanted to follow my dad's steps, and I wanted to be like him and even better. Probably making it right now but still have a long way to go. But definitely pops started that. I feel like that's in our DNA, and I totally enjoy it and embrace it. And, man, it's great that your dad did it and you're also doing it probably even better.

Q. What did it mean, you guys get six runs in the second, but then Michael King, the bullpen, at the end Suarez comes out and he ends the game, what does that say about your bullpen and your pitching after a performance like tonight?

DAVID PERALTA: What we said earlier, we're good. We're good, offense, defense, pitching, starting, relievers. That's what it's all about. We came and shut the teams down. The Dodgers have a pretty good lineup and we just shut it down. That's what it's all about.

It's not just about one person, about like offense. We're all together in this and that's what we're doing. We've been doing this the whole year and we're just going to keep doing it and the best part is we get better every day.

FERNANDO TATIS JR.: Obviously we saw King, how he came out. Obviously we wanted for him to go on more runs. But it also speaks to the type of team that we have.

Like Peralta said, we push each other and we've got each other's back. Him holding that line to the fifth inning and we went straight to our bullpen. People have been talking about our bullpen, how lights out they are. They definitely showed up today and they showed why they're one of the best in baseball right now.

Q. What did you think of the Machado play where the double play got broken up and kept your rally going?

FERNANDO TATIS JR.: That's highest IQ in baseball. When you see plays like that and you know right away know what you need to do, especially in games like that, that's why Manny's Manny.

This rally wouldn't have started probably if he hadn't made that play. That's how huge and how big that was for us.

Just like I mentioned, Manny has one of the best IQs in the game, and we put it all in play together at the right moment.