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San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the most talented players in MLB, and his home run drought was almost as incredible as his play in the field.
Tatis probably doesn’t think so, but going 207 without a single, at his caliber, was something to behold. For every pitch he saw, fans never knew what pitch might be thrown into the seats. It finally came Saturday against the Washington Nationals.
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San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a home run during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals in Washington on May 30, 2026. (Daniel Kucin Jr./AP)
The Padres second baseman launched a solo home run off Nationals starter Foster Griffin 451 feet. He finished the day 2-for-5 with an RBI.
“I just knew right away,” he said. “About time.”
Tatis’ 55-game home run to start the season was the second-most ever to hit 40 or more home runs in a single season, trailing only Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski’s 57-game streak in 1972, according to MLB.com.
He received a rousing welcome after he rounded the bases and headed back into the dugout. It was his first home run since Sept. 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals in Washington on May 30, 2026. (Daniel Kucin Jr./AP)
“There are no days off here, man,” Tatis said. “This game will find a way how to still punish you.”
Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts thought Tatis would get some better sleep now.
“Bet he’ll sleep a little better tonight knowing he’s got a little ‘one’ on his numbers. He’s got a lot in his career, but this is different,” he said. “Everybody knows what the deal is here. Everybody knows he has zero, so I think it’s nice to get that kind of pressure off his back.”
However, Washington got a 9-4 victory.
San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals in Washington on May 30, 2026. (Daniel Kucin Jr./AP)
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The three-time All-Star is hitting .271 with a .670 OPS, six doubles, a triple and a home run.
