Fernando Tatis Jr. shines with two home runs in his first game as an outfielder
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit two home runs and produced four runs on his return from the disabled list, and the San Diego Padres defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2 on Sunday.
Tatis, 22, had four hits to help the Padres snap a four-game losing streak. It was the fifth game the Dominican has hit at least two home runs this season, and the eighth game of its kind in his career.
In right field defensively for the first time as a professional and first in the batting order, Tatis doubled to left field to start the game.
He hit his first home run of the game in the third inning – a panoramic slam from behind the left-field fence. His 33rd home run of the season came in the fifth inning, a longer hit that landed in roughly the same spot to give the Padres a 2-1 lead.
Jake Cronenworth hit two-run homers in that same fifth inning to extend the lead to 4-1. It was his 17th home run of the season.
Tatis added a bases-loaded single in the eighth that brought Victor Caratini and Trent Grisham to the plate. Tatis had been on the disabled list since July 31 with a partial dislocation of his left shoulder for the third time this season.
The star usually played in the shortstop, but the Padres decided to put him in the outfield for now in hopes that there would be less chance of injury and allow him to stay in the lineup for the rest of the season.
Craig Stammen started the game for the Padres in a bullpen game. He worked two scoreless innings in which he allowed a pair of hits. Reiss Knehr (1-0) was credited with the victory by conceding a run in two innings.
Zac Gallen (1-7) started for the Diamondbacks and allowed four runs in five innings.
For the Padres, Tatis Jr. 5-4 with four RBIs and three runs; Manny Machado 3-0. Puerto Rican Victor Caratini 5-1 with a run scored.
For the Diamondbacks, Ketel Marte 4-1 with an RBI. Venezuelans Asdrúbal Cabrera 4-1; David Peralta 4-1.