Fernando Tatis Jr. had gone 207 at-bats without hitting a home run. On Saturday, that ended.
The San Diego Padres second baseman launched a solo shot off Washington Nationals starter Foster Griffin that traveled 451 feet. He finished the day 2-for-5 with an RBI.
"I just knew right away," Tatis said. "About f---ing time."
According to Fox News, citing MLB.com, Tatis's 55-game homerless streak to start the season was the second-longest ever recorded by a player who had hit 40 or more home runs in a single season. Only Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski's 57-game streak in 1972 was longer.
The home run was his first since September 27 of last season, when he connected against the Arizona Diamondbacks. When he returned to the dugout after rounding the bases Saturday, he was met with what was described as a joyous welcome from his teammates.
Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts had a clear-eyed take on what the moment meant for Tatis heading into the night.
"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."
Tatis himself was not ready to exhale entirely. "There's no off days over here man," he said. "This game will find a way how to still punish you."
The Padres lost the game 9-4. Tatis is now hitting .271 with a .670 OPS on the season, along with six doubles, a triple, and the one home run. The three-time All-Star turns 27 in January and remains one of the most closely watched players in the sport.
