Fernando Tatis Jr. practiced a few swings before stepping into the batter’s box. He was full of his usual charm. As he returned to San Diego, Tatis Jr. had one thought in his head.
He grinned and said, “Make them forget why they missed me.”
The 22-year-old All-Star achieved that goal with a remarkable return to the injured list. He slugged two homers and drove in four runs, leading the Padres’ 8-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Jake Cronenworth was also a deep player, helping San Diego end a four-game losing streak.
Tatis, who was playing right field for the first-time in his professional career and was batting leadoff, hit a double down the third base line to begin the game.
In the third, he hit his first homer of afternoon — a tall solo shot that cleared the wall in the left. His 33rd homer was in the fifth. It was a more low-liner but cleared the wall in roughly the same spot, giving the Padres an approximate 2-1 lead.
Eric Hosmer, Padres’ first baseman, said that Fernando is Fernando. It never ceases amaze anyone of us.
Tatis scored his fifth multihomer this season, and he was No. Tatis’ career record is 8.
San Diego moved up 4-1 with Cronenworth’s second-run run in the fifth. It was his 17th season-high.
Tatis scored a base-loaded run in the eighth inning that brought home Victor Caratini, Trent Grisham. Tatis, who had partially dislocated his left shoulder this season, was on the injured’s list since July 31.
Although the star of the Padres is usually a shortstop, the Padres have decided to move him to the field for now. He hopes to be less likely to get hurt and will remain in the lineup the rest of the season.
Although he wasn’t much challenged in the outfield, he did make a few routine catch.
Tatis stated, “It was pretty cool.”
The Padres are thrilled to have Tatis back. They currently have 15 players on their injured list and have seen their standings drop in the NL West. While they still hold the second NL wild card spot in the playoff race for the playoffs, they are under pressure from the Braves, Phillies, and Reds.
San Diego’s season arguably reached its nadir the day before on Saturday, when rookie pitcher Tyler Gilbert threw a no-hitter in his first career start against the Padres.
Hosmer stated that the team met after the embarrassing loss in hopes of having a conversation to help them refocus for next season. It worked for one game.
Hosmer stated that sometimes you can get lost in the season. It can be exhausting and sometimes even depressing.
Craig Stammen was the Padres’ starting pitcher in a bullpen match. He pitched two scoreless innings and gave up two hits. After giving up just one run over two innings, Reiss Knehr (1-0), won the victory.
Zac Gallen (1-7), who started for the Diamondbacks, gave up four runs in five innings.
While the right-hander was a top-notch pitcher in the National League in 2020, he finished ninth in the voting for the Cy Young Award voting. However, the 26-year old has struggled throughout the season. His ERA is 5.03.
Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks manager, stated that “there have been some difficult outings.”
Arizona’s Josh Rojas scored a solo homer on the fifth. It was his 11th homer of the season.
TRAINER’S ROHROOM
Padres: RHP Yu Darvish was placed on the 10-day injured listing with lower back tightness retroactive to Friday. Knehr was promoted to Triple-A El Paso … The Padres optioned OF Brian O’Grady from Triple-A El Paso to make room for Tatis.
Diamondbacks: RHP Merrill Kelly was placed on the COVID-19 injures list, as well as LHP Joe Mantiply. Triple-A Reno: Called up LHP Miguel Aguilar, and RHP Sean Poppen.
UP NEXT
On Monday, the Padres will visit Colorado. RHP Antonio Senzatela (2-9; 4.71 ERA), is scheduled to start for Colorado. The Padres have not yet announced a starter.
Monday is off for the Diamondbacks, before they host a three-game series against Philadelphia Phillies starting Tuesday. The Phillies’ RHP Kyle Gibson (2-1; 3.18 ERA), starts. The Diamondbacks have not yet announced a starter.
