The Detroit Tigers chose to intentionally leave San Diego Padres designated hitter and two-time batting champion Luis Arraez on the field in the 10th inning of a 6-5 win over San Diego on Wednesday to get the pitch to outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.

And Tatis took it personally.

The Padres star, who returned from the injured list on Monday to a warm welcome from Padres fans, gave the Petco Park faithful another reason to cheer on Wednesday by singled the game-winning run off rookie Jackson Merrill.

According to Darnay Tripp of NBC 7 San Diego, Tatis admitted after the game that the Tigers’ decision motivated him.

“I took it personally,” Tatis said. “When I saw four fingers up, it gave me the push I needed, the energy I needed. I just wanted to be there for the guys.”

Of course, you can’t blame the Tigers for giving Arraez a walk. The Padres slugger has a .315 batting average and has only struck out twice since the All-Star break. Tatis, on the other hand, has only had nine at-bats since June, when he was recovering from an injury, until the bottom of the 10th inning.

But Tatis, who hit 42 home runs in a single season just three years ago, is also one of the most productive hitters in the game when healthy. And the Padres star delivered in an important situation for his club.

Tatis posted an OPS of .821 in the first half of the season and was selected as an All-Star starter for the National League, although he missed the game due to a stress reaction in his right femur.

Now that he’s healthy again, Tatis will look to help the Padres (80-61) hold on to their first National League wild card spot and perhaps also push for the NL West Division crown, where the club is currently 4.5 games back of the top spot.