Padres Conclude Road Trip with 4-2 Loss to Mets Despite Strong Rotation The San Diego Padres ended their six-game road trip with a 4-2 defeat to the New York Mets on Wednesday afternoon at Citi Field. The loss marked a disappointing conclusion to a trip that saw the Padres remain competitive but fall short of their potential. Fernando Tatis Jr., the team’s star shortstop, described the trip as “decent,” though he acknowledged it could have been better. The game’s outcome was shaped by a combination of defensive errors, missed opportunities, and a resilient Mets pitching staff. The Padres, who had been one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball in recent weeks with an 18-7 record over the past four weeks, struggled to capitalize on their chances against Mets starter Robert Stock. Stock, who previously pitched for San Diego in 2018, limited the Padres to just two hits, with the team creating traffic in the infield but failing to convert it into runs. A costly error in the eighth inning highlighted the team’s struggles. Sung-Mun Song, who had moved from third base to shortstop after Xander Bogaerts exited with a hamstring cramp, rushed his throw on a potential double-play grounder, sending the ball sailing into right field. The error allowed a run to score, and another run crossed later in the inning. Manager Craig Stammen called the inning “just one of those innings,” emphasizing the frustration of missed opportunities. The Padres’ offensive struggles continued into the ninth inning, where they managed to load the bases with a run scored and the tying runs on deck. With two outs, Stammen opted to pinch-hit Austin Hays over Song, despite the right-on-right matchup against Mets closer Kodai Senga. Hays, however, bounced into a game-ending double play, ending the game with Tatis Jr. on deck.#new_york_mets #san_diego_padres #michael_king #citi_field #fernando_tatis_jr
Padres Rally Past Braves in Dramatic 10th-Inning Walk-Off Manny Machado delivered a walk-off single on the first pitch of the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the San Diego Padres to a 7-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night at Petco Park. The dramatic win came after a tense game marked by a late rally and clutch performances from key players. Machado’s hit, which came with two outs, secured the Padres’ second straight win and extended their homestand success. Mason Miller, the Padres’ reliever, held Atlanta scoreless in both the ninth and 10th innings, marking the first time he’d completed two innings as a Padre. His dominance set the stage for Machado’s game-winning at-bat. The Braves had taken a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but the Padres staged a five-run rally in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead. The comeback continued in the seventh, when Fernando Tatis Jr. tied the game at six with his third home run of the season. The blast, a Statcast-projected 410-foot shot to center field, came off a sinker that caught the inside corner of the plate from Carlos Carrasco. Tatis, who has struggled with power output this season, emphasized his focus on fundamentals despite the struggles. “The home runs will come,” he said. “And if not, whatever. We’re here to play good baseball. Obviously homers are a part of it. But I’m going to keep going out there, get on base for the team, good at-bats out there, and just try to hit the ball hard, all around the field.” Tatis, who also hit an RBI double in the second inning, is batting .286 with an OPS of .718. His recent performance has signaled a potential resurgence in his power production. Machado’s recent success has been critical to the Padres’ recent wins.#atlanta_braves #manny_machado #san_diego_padres #petco_park #fernando_tatis_jr
Ronny Cruz is on the verge of becoming a top 100 prospect for the Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals’ prospect rankings have undergone a significant shift this season, with Ronny Cruz emerging as one of the most notable risers. Once considered a high-upside but raw gamble in the Michael Soroka trade, Cruz has transformed into a top-four prospect in the Nationals’ system and is now on the cusp of cracking the top 100 list. His meteoric rise has been fueled by a combination of elite bat speed, raw power, and athletic tools, earning comparisons to Fernando Tatis Jr. and positioning him as a key piece of the Nationals’ future. Cruz’s ascent began with his performance in the 2026 season, where he quickly became a standout for the Fred Nats, the Nationals’ rookie affiliate. In just 14 games, he slashed .333 with three home runs and 15 stolen bases, posting an OPS of 1.087. His ability to hit for both power and average, coupled with his twitchy athleticism, caught the attention of scouts and analysts. The Nationals, recognizing his potential, promoted him to High-A Wilmington before many of his peers, including Luke Dickerson and Yeremy Cabrera, who had more Low-A experience. This decision signaled the organization’s confidence in Cruz’s upside. Despite initial concerns about his contact rates and tendency to chase pitches, Cruz has adapted quickly to the higher level. In his first three games at Wilmington, he hit two home runs and posted an OPS of 1.186, proving his ability to thrive against advanced pitching. His swing mechanics, which generate elite bat speed, allow him to tap into his raw power while also hitting the ball at optimal angles. Scouts have noted his natural feel for the barrel, which makes him a dangerous hitter in any count. The comparison to Fernando Tatis Jr.#washington_nationals #fernando_tatis_jr #ronny_cruz #fred_nats #high_a_wilmington
Padres Star Outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. Set to Make First Career Start at Second Base SAN DIEGO — Star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres is set to make his first career start at second base in a major league game on Saturday night against the Colorado Rockies. The move marks a significant shift for the 26-year-old, who has spent the majority of his career as an outfielder and has not played an inning at second base since September 2023. This decision also represents the first time Tatis has started at an infield position since 2021, when he briefly played shortstop before transitioning to the outfield. Manager Craig Stammen explained that the decision was part of a long-term plan to provide shortstop Xander Bogaerts with a day off. “We felt like Tatis was the best option at second base and the most fun and exciting option at second base,” Stammen said. “Get that kid smiling a little bit might help, too.” Stammen added that Tatis could also serve as a rotational option for second baseman Jake Cronenworth when needed. Cronenworth started at shortstop in the game, while Nick Castellanos took over in right field. Tatis’ only previous appearance at second base came in the ninth inning on September 6, 2023, during a 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Since then, he has focused on his role as an outfielder, where he has become known for his defensive prowess and ability to rob home runs. However, his offensive production has been inconsistent, with a .189 batting average, zero home runs, and five RBIs this season. Despite this, Stammen praised Tatis’ versatility, calling him “an amazing athlete who can do about anything.” The manager emphasized confidence in Tatis’ ability to adapt, stating that the move would “keep his brain active, keep him engaged and having fun.#san_diego_padres #craig_stammen #xander_bogaerts #fernando_tatis_jr #jake_cronenworth
Padres Notebook: Tatis Jr. Starting at Second Base for First Time in MLB Career SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres made a notable adjustment to their lineup on April 10, 2026, as all-star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. took to the field for the first time in his major league career at second base. The decision, announced by manager Craig Stammen before the third game against the Colorado Rockies, marked a bold shift for Tatis, who had previously only played second base during spring training and in a brief ninth-inning appearance against the Phillies in 2023. This move raised questions among fans and analysts, as Tatis had not yet gained significant experience at the position in live games. Stammen explained that the decision was part of a contingency plan developed during spring training, in case starting second baseman Jake Cronenworth suffered an injury. While the manager acknowledged the practicality of the plan, he emphasized that Tatis had not had the opportunity to fully prepare for the role due to his participation in the World Baseball Classic. “He didn’t do a ton in spring as he was at the WBC, but Fernando loves taking ground balls almost every day,” Stammen said. “He did it all last season.” Despite the lack of formal preparation, Stammen expressed confidence in Tatis’ ability to adapt, though he admitted the transition would not be perfect. “You know, will he be perfect, like the best second baseman of all time? He might be but you never know. You know we’ll see but I’m not that worried about Fernando Tatis Jr. playing second base.” The decision to place Tatis at second base instead of his usual shortstop position sparked further intrigue. Shortstop, where Tatis had played since 2019, had been his primary role until 2021, when he was moved to center field.#world_baseball_classic #san_diego_padres #craig_stammen #fernando_tatis_jr #jake_cronenworth
Fernando Tatis Jr. to start at second base against Rockies Fernando Tatis Jr. made his first career start at second base for the San Diego Padres on Saturday night in a game against the Colorado Rockies. The move, which initially seemed surprising, was part of a strategic decision by manager Craig Stammen to address the team’s need for a reliable backup at the position. Tatis, a two-time Platinum Glove Award-winning right fielder, had previously played shortstop and outfield but had only made one brief appearance at second base in the majors, during a game on September 6, 2023. His start at second base marked a significant shift in his role, though it was not entirely unexpected given his recent training and preparation. Tatis’s transition to the outfield in 2023 was driven by the Padres’ belief that his athleticism and arm strength would translate better to right field, where he has excelled. Since moving to the outfield, he has regularly practiced ground balls in the infield, with a focus on second base. Stammen emphasized that the team had been planning this potential shift for some time, noting that Tatis’s ability to adapt to different positions was a key factor in the decision. “We’ve been planning this for a little while,” Stammen said. “He’s an amazing athlete, can do about anything.” The Padres’ need for a second baseman was underscored by the absence of a clear backup. Sung-Mun Song, the team’s primary second baseman, was sidelined with a left oblique strain and was in the middle of a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso. Ty France, while capable of playing second base, was not considered a strong option for the position. With Jake Cronenworth set to slide to shortstop for the day, the Padres opted to give Tatis the opportunity to start at second base.#san_diego_padres #craig_stammen #colorado_rockies #fernando_tatis_jr #sung_mun_song
