San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. pulled double duty on Tuesday against the New York Mets.
New York's starting pitcher, Zac Thornton, threw only one pitch to Tatis in the top of the first inning. The Padres’ outfielder launched it 452 feet to left-center, giving San Diego an early 1-0 lead.
Fernando Tatis Jr. sends the first pitch into the second deck 💪 pic.twitter.com/Rqq1qvd22q
— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2026Tatis had more tricks up his sleeve. In the bottom of the second, the Mets loaded the bases. Francisco Alvarez, Christopher Morel and A.J. Ewing drew walks before Luis Torrens grounded into a fielder's choice that saw Alvarez thrown out at home but kept the bases loaded.
Then New York's star shortstop, Francisco Lindor, came to the plate. He launched a 91-mph sinker to right field, a hit that looked destined for the outfield seats.
Tatis backed up to the wall and leaped to rob the home run.
DID HE CATCH IT?!
Fernando Tatis Jr. robs a grand slam from Francisco Lindor! pic.twitter.com/6m2O0Yrb2a
After catching the ball, Tatis looked toward the infield, basking in the moment in front of the New York faithful.
And the San Diego outfielder wasn't done. In the fifth inning, he launched a two-run homer to right field to extend the Padres' lead to 3-0.
hit a home run
rob a home run
hit a home run again 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/W098xESqdT
Tatis started the season in a brutal home run slump. The Padres’ outfielder didn't hit his first home run of the season until May 30 against the Washington Nationals. He's now at 15 on the season.
San Diego came into Tuesday's game with a 67-59 record, good for second in the NL West and the third NL wild-card spot.
New York has a 57-69 record and is last in the NL East after a rough start to the season. At one point, the Mets lost 12 games in a row, their worst losing streak since 2002.
Leave a Comment