The San Diego Padres needed a heroic moment from their biggest star in the 9th inning and Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered a game-tying blast that fans won’t forget for a long time.
San Diego entered the 9th inning trailing 6-3 and everything had to go right just for a shot at the comeback. After Victor Caratini grounded out and Tommy Pham struck out swinging, the Houston Astros could taste victory. With Ryan Pressly on the mound, sporting a 1.25 ERA, Houston seemed poised to win.
Manny Machado then drew a four-pitch walk and Jake Croneworth lined a double to left field. Suddenly, Fernando Tatís Jr. stepped to the plate with a chance to deliver an iconic moment. After seeing consecutive four-seam fastballs, the All-Star shortstop took the third heater and sent it towering onto the train tracks at Minute Maid Park.
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According to StatCast, the baseball left Tatis Jr.’s bat at 114.9 mph. It was the fourth-fastest outcome this season and the ball screamed over the seats before crashing into the tracks for a 448-foot blast.
The three-run shot is No. 15 for Tatís Jr. and gives him 36 RBIs on the year. The 22–year-old is playing through a significant shoulder injury and recently returned after testing positive for COVID-19. Despite missing significant time, Tatīs Jr. is squarely in the race for NL MVP.