WASHINGTON (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. finally connected for his first home run of the season on Saturday, slugging a 451-foot solo shot to left field in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals.
Tatis, who has five 20-homer seasons in his career and hit 42 in 2021, had not gone deep in 240 plate appearances before this game — the longest drought in the major leagues. He then singled in the first inning and struck out in the third before his fifth-inning drive off Foster Griffin gave the San Diego Padres a 3-1 lead.
Tatis flipped his bat with his left hand and received a joyous welcome from his San Diego teammates after rounding the bases. It was his first homer since Sept. 27 against Arizona.
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