San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. sparked a 5‑2 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night with a combination of power and defensive brilliance.

Leadoff blast and second‑inning heroics

Tatis began the game by crushing the first pitch from Mets reliever Zac Thornton into the second deck in left field, a 452‑foot shot that set a new club record for his 18th career leadoff home run. He followed that with a two‑run homer in the fifth inning, also off Thornton, bringing his season total to 15 long balls after a lengthy homer‑less stretch.

The defining moment came in the second inning when Tatis leaped over the right‑field wall and snatched a ball that would have been a grand slam for New York shortstop Francisco Lindor. The spectacular catch left both benches momentarily stunned before the Padres’ pitcher Robbie Ray celebrated by raising his arms and placing his glove on his head.

Supporting contributions

First‑base man Ty France added a run‑scoring single in the seventh inning, and veteran Manny Machado delivered his 24th home run of the season with a solo shot in the ninth. For the Mets, Luis Robert Jr. homered in the eighth inning, while Luis Torrens’ solo blast accounted for one of the three runs allowed by Padres starter Robbie Ray.

Ray, now 11‑7, worked six innings, allowing three hits and striking out four. He earned his first win since being acquired from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline. Reliever Mason Miller closed the game with two strikeouts in the ninth and recorded his 31st save.

Looking ahead

The Padres improve to 18‑6 since July 24 and will start right‑hander Michael King (8‑8, 3.41 ERA) in the series finale on Wednesday against Mets right‑hander Robert Stock (0‑2, 6.57 ERA).

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.