Fernando Tatis Jr. is making a habit of this.
The San Diego Padres outfielder continued to make his case for a second career Gold Glove on Tuesday night with another sensational home run robbery at the wall.
This one came at home in San Diego. His victim was Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson.
With the Reds leading 2-0 in the fourth inning, Stephenson launched a first-pitch fastball that Padres starter Michael King left over the middle of the plate deep to right field. The ball appeared destined for the front row of the Petco Park bleachers.
But Tatis ran the ball down and timed his jump perfectly to reach over the wall and keep the would-be home run in the park.
Tatis had a chance at a double play as Gavin Lux had left first base, apparently confident that the ball would land for a home run — or at least a hit. But Lux sprinted back to first to beat the throw.
No matter for the Padres. Lux didn’t come around to score, and Tatis saved at least two runs with his spectacular play as the Reds left the inning without plating a run.
The catch was reminiscent of a similar play just weeks ago, when Tatis robbed Giants slugger Rafael Devers of a home run with another grab over Petco Park’s right-field wall.
Despite Tatis’ heroics, the Reds put up a pair of runs in the ninth inning after Stephenson hit a two-run homer that safely made it out of the stadium this time to lift them to the 4-2 win.
Tatis has been one of baseball’s best defensive outfielders since he made the move from shortstop in 2023. And he’s making a strong case to secure his second career Gold Glove in right field.
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