Padres defeat Cubs 8-0 in Wild Card opener with Tatis' homer

In an impressive display, the San Diego Padres triumphed over the Chicago Cubs with a score of 8-0 in the National League Wild Card Series opener on September 29, 2026. The highlight of the game came when Fernando Tatis Jr. hit the first leadoff homer in Padres playoff history, launching a ball 405 feet to center field on the very first pitch by Cubs starter Matthew Boyd.

Manny Machado quickly followed suit, also going deep in the first inning. Machado contributed an RBI double in the third inning, bolstering the Padres’ lead. Throughout the game, the Padres showcased offensive power, including a homer from Xander Bogaerts and a two-run single from Jackson Merrill.

On the pitching side, Michael King delivered a stellar performance, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning. He allowed his first hit to Nico Hoerner, who connected with a grounder along the third base line. King received a standing ovation from the crowd at Petco Park after his bid for the first postseason no-hitter in Padres history concluded, but he stayed strong, striking out the next two batters.

The Padres, finishing the regular season with 91 wins, made a strong statement right from the start of the playoffs, dominating the Cubs who had previously defeated them the last season in the Wild Card Series. Their emphatic win set a promising tone for the remainder of the series.