Fernando Tatis Jr. folds like a pretzel after just missing highlight-reel play

Fernando Tatis Jr. literally folded himself in half after giving up a run to the Dodgers despite a diving catch.

Record scratch. Freeze frame. “I bet you’re wondering how I got here.”

That would be a fitting voice over for Fernando Tatis Jr. on Thursday night as the Padres fought for their lives against the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLDS.

That human pretzel you see laying there is Tatis Jr. He was upset because San Diego just blew a highlight-reel play.

Makes more sense now doesn’t it.

Even though Tatis Jr. was credited with the error, it was a tough break for him. He made the diving catch and delivered the throw to first from his knees, but Eric Hosmer wasn’t able to reel it in.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Padres need every play to stay alive vs. the Dodgers

Tatis Jr. might have stayed there on the grass staring blankly up for longer if he knew what was to follow in the rest of the inning. It wasn’t pretty for the Padres.

San Diego held a 2-1 before the error by Tatis Jr. gifted the Dodgers the tying run. Justin Turner hit an RBI single on the next at-bat to take a 3-2 lead. An A.J. Pollock RBI single and a double from Joc Pederson piled on three more runs before the Padres got out of the inning trailing 6-2.

It was a disaster San Diego really couldn’t afford. They face the prospect of elimination if they don’t get the win in Game 3. They lost to the Dodgers 5-1 in Game 1. They trimmed another big LA lead to battle for the result in Game 2, but ultimately a big defensive play from Cody Bellinger denying Tatis Jr. a home run ensured the Dodgers victory.