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Bogaerts: Tatis is 'putting it on his back' vs. Dodgers

Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Fernando Tatis Jr. is having a tremendous National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his teammates are grateful for his performance.

"Obviously, Fernando is kind of putting it on his back right now," Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts said, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. "That's something special to witness, to see."

Tatis has been on fire against the rival Dodgers, slashing .500/.571/1.417 with three home runs and five RBIs in three games. He hit a massive homer during San Diego's six-run second inning in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Dodgers.

Tatis admitted the crowd noise might have been the loudest he's heard after hitting the homer.

"Definitely on the noise, that has to be up there," Tatis said. "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.

"It was just momentum and just definitely a beautiful finish at the end of that inning."

Following Tuesday's win, the Padres are one victory away from eliminating the Dodgers from the postseason for the second time in three seasons. Tatis' teammate, Manny Machado, said the outfielder is a big reason why San Diego is in that position.

"It's been awesome, man," Machado said. "I've seen him enough to know he shines when he needs to, and what he's doing at the plate has been unbelievable. ... He doesn't shy away from the moment. He rises above it."

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