Citi Field – Queens

The San Diego Padres returned to Citi Field for game two against the New York Mets.

After dropping game one to the Mets in a low-scoring game, the Padres were back to the drawing board on how to attack a still-waning Mets team.

The Padres made their intentions clear immediately. On the very first pitch of the ballgame, Fernando Tatis Jr. immediately nuked a 452-foot homer into the second deck of Citi Field.

Nando wastes no time. pic.twitter.com/vq6ZK4XHIM

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 18, 2026

Zac Thornton is a rookie pitcher and certainly got rattled by that wake-up call. However, if it affected him, he certainly didn’t let it show, clearing out the rest of the inning cleanly.

Robbie Ray has pitched nine innings to a 6.00 ERA over his last two starts. He collected 6 strikeouts but walked 8. Those base on balls have proven to be killers for Ray and his success with the Padres. It’s a year-long issue for Ray. Certainly one you’d think the Padres would try to address.

This was well exemplified in the second inning where three walks loaded the bases for Ray. With Francisco Lindor up to bat, a hard-hit ball was destined for the fences, but a magnificent stretch from Tatis Jr. robbed the would-be grand slam.

FERNANDO TATIS JR. ARE YOU JOKING?! pic.twitter.com/B8PZp5toYe

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 18, 2026

Less than three innings in, and Tatis was having himself a fantastic night of baseball. Offensively and defensively. However, he was not done yet.

On Thornton’s third go-around of the Padres lineup, Fernando Tatis Jr, landed another home run, this time with Jake Cronenworth on base. This one traveled 379 feet. That’s his second multi-homer game of the year.

hit a home run
rob a home run
hit a home run again 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/W098xESqdT

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 19, 2026

Many raised concerns about Fernando Tatis Jr.’s lack of power to start the year, despite the fact he at one point led the league in hard-hit balls. It was clear it was only a matter of time before he overcame his case of the yips. Since the All-Star break, Fernando has hit 10 home runs, including Tuesday night’s game. It looks like he’s just trying to make up for lost time now.

With a little over 30 games left in the year, assuming Tatis Jr. keeps this pace, he will easily cross 20 homers on the season.

Thornton hit a career-high 99-pitch count in this game, leaving after the fifth inning.

The Mets had their revenge in the same inning when Luis Torres launched a homer to center field. Robbie Ray, who had just pitched four scoreless frames previously, unfortunately couldn’t end his start unscathed. However, it was still a daring outing from the left-hander.

On the night Ray went six innings, striking out four and walking three. His first quality start as a Padre.

Even with Ray gone, the Padres continued to put pressure on the Mets. A pair of twin walks put two Padres on base, and Ty France came in to knock in one with a single.

The Mets would not go quietly, landing another homer to center field this time from Luis Robert Jr., making the game 4-2. Either way, Adrian Morejon managed to complete the inning relatively unscathed, handing it over to Mason Miller, the reaper.

However, the night would not be complete without another home run. Manny Machado joined the derby, knocking one into left-center field. That’s five total homers between both clubs.

Playing the hits. pic.twitter.com/yVJNYuR1X8

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 19, 2026

Miller entered in the ninth to close the game. He did so in 16 pitches. For him, it was another major league save to add to his collection. However, for Fernando Tatis Jr., Tuesday night was an extraordinary display of athletic prowess.

The Padres return to Citi Field to play the rubber match against the Mets. Taking the mound for the Padres is Michael King (8-8, 3.41 ERA). For the Mets is Robert Stock (0-2, 6.57 ERA).

Fabian Garcia