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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 on the field.
Tatis probably doesn’t think so, but going 207 at-bats without a home run, at his caliber, was something to behold. With every pitch he saw, fans never knew what shot might be thrown into the seats. Finally came Saturday against the Washington Nationals.
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Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres hits a home run during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals in Washington on May 30, 2026. (Daniel Kucín 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 knew right away,” he said. “It’s about time.”
Tatis’ 55-game homerless streak to start the season was the second-most in history 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 cheerful welcome after rounding the bases and returning to the dugout. It was his first home run since September 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals in Washington on May 30, 2026. (Daniel Kucín Jr./AP)
“There’s no days off here, man,” Tatis said. “This game will find a way to punish you still.”
Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts thinks Tatis will sleep better now.
“I bet he’ll sleep a little better tonight, knowing he’s got a little ‘one’ in his numbers. He’s got a lot going on in his career, but it’s different,” he said. “Everyone knows what the deal is here. Everyone knows they have nothing, so I think taking that kind of pressure off of you is good.”
Washington, however, earned a 9-4 victory.
Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals in Washington on May 30, 2026. (Daniel Kucín 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.
