SouthernWorldwide.com – Fernando Tatis Jr., the dynamic star of the San Diego Padres, has finally broken his home run drought with a powerful blast, much to his own relief.
For a player of Tatis Jr.’s caliber, going 207 at-bats without hitting a home run was an unusually long stretch. However, his immense talent meant that fans always anticipated the moment a pitch would be sent soaring into the stands. That long-awaited moment arrived on Saturday during the game against the Washington Nationals.
Tatis Jr., playing second base for the Padres, connected with a pitch from Nationals starter Foster Griffin, sending it 451 feet for a solo home run. He concluded the game with a 2-for-5 performance, contributing one RBI.
“I just knew right away,” Tatis Jr. stated, expressing his immense relief. “About f—ing time.”
According to MLB.com, Tatis Jr.’s 55-game homerless streak to begin the season is the second-longest for a player who has previously hit 40 or more home runs in a single season. He trails only Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, who had a 57-game streak in 1972.
His teammates greeted him with enthusiasm as he rounded the bases and returned to the dugout. This home run was his first since September 27th, when he last connected against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“There’s no off days over here man,” Tatis Jr. commented, acknowledging the relentless nature of baseball. “This game will find a way how to still punish you.”
Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts expressed his belief that Tatis Jr. will now be able to rest easier.
“Bet you he’ll sleep a little better tonight, knowing that he has a little ‘one’ on his numbers. He has a lot in his career, but it’s different,” Bogaerts said. “Everyone knows what the deal is here. Everyone knows he has zero, so I think getting that kind of pressure off his back is nice.”
Despite Tatis Jr.’s milestone, the Washington Nationals ultimately secured a 9-4 victory in the game.
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The three-time All-Star’s current season statistics include a .271 batting average, a .670 OPS, six doubles, a triple, and now, one home run.
