PHOENIX — Fernando Tatis Jr.’s long-awaited return to the baseball area included zero hits, one terrific defensive play and a victory for the San Diego Padres.
Trent Grisham had two doubles and 4 RBIs, Xander Bogaerts added a two-run homer and the Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-5 in Tatis’ return from a PED suspension Thursday night time.
“It’s great to be back out there with my boys,” Tatis mentioned. “Just happy to get that ‘W’ and be back out there. Embraced every single moment, embraced the fans, embraced everything.”
Tatis was 0 for five with two strikeouts in his first regular-season recreation since 2021, batting leadoff and enjoying proper area. His spotlight of the night time got here on protection within the eighth, when he sprinted again and to his left earlier than snagging a line drive, robbing Josh Rojas of an extra-base hit.
Manager Bob Melvin mentioned when the ball got here off Rojas’ bat, he didn’t even look to see the place it landed as a result of he thought it was a certain double. Then he heard the followers roar and realized Tatis – who made the change to the outfield from shortstop in the course of the offseason – had made the catch.
“It’s just not that easy to come in and get four or five hits like everyone expects,” Melvin mentioned. “But he definitely contributed in the outfield.”
PHOTOS: Grisham has 4 RBIs, Padres beat D-backs in Tatis’ return
The 24-year-old Tatis missed all of final season, first due to a damaged left wrist after which an 80-game PED suspension.
Grisham and Bogaerts have been among the many Padres that made up for Tatis’ sluggish offensive begin. Grisham drove residence two runs within the second inning to provide the Padres a 2-0 lead and had one other two-run double within the sixth that made it 7-5.
Bogaerts mashed a 405-foot shot within the third for his fifth homer of the season. Matt Carpenter additionally had a solo homer.
Tatis was greeted with a mixture of cheers and boos in his first at-bats at Chase Field, due to a big contingent of Padres followers.
“There were more Padres fans than Arizona fans,” Tatis mentioned. “It was amazing how they showed up, they were loud and it felt like we were at home.”
The Padres jumped to a 5-1 lead after Carpenter’s homer within the fourth, however the D-backs responded with 4 runs within the backside of the inning off righty Michael Wacha to tie it. Rojas had a two-run single within the rally.
Wacha final simply 4 innings, giving up 5 runs on 10 hits. He struck out three and walked one. Brent Honeywell (2-0) bought the win with two scoreless innings of aid. Josh Hader labored the ninth for his sixth save in as many possibilities.
Arizona right-hander Ryne Nelson gave up 5 runs over 5 innings. Kyle Nelson (3-1) took the loss after giving up two unearned runs in aid.
The D-backs misplaced regardless of a 12-7 benefit in hits. Christian Walker had a three-hit night time, together with a double and an RBI.
BUMGARNER OUT
The Diamondbacks additionally made roster information Thursday, although it was a subtraction as a substitute of an addition.
Arizona designated four-time All-Star Madison Bumgarner for project following his newest shaky begin, consuming roughly $34.4 million of the wage from his $85 million, five-year deal that was signed in 2020.
The 33-year-old allowed no less than 5 runs in three of his 4 begins this season and dropped to 1-3 with a ten.26 ERA after his newest blowup at St. Louis on Wednesday.
The left-hander hasn’t lived as much as expectations within the desert since signing his long-term deal. A postseason hero for San Francisco, he has gone 15-32 with a 5.23 ERA in 69 begins and is having his worst season with Arizona.
MAKING MOVES
Padres: Sent OF Brandon Dixon to Triple-A to make room for Tatis. They additionally transferred RHP Robert Suarez to the 60-day IL.
Diamondbacks: RHP Anthony Misiewicz was added to the roster after Bumgarner was designated for project.
UP NEXT
The Padres ship RHP Seth Lugo (2-0, 2.70 ERA) to the mound Friday night time. He’ll face RHP Zac Gallen (2-1, 3.33 ERA), who has thrown 14 2/3 scoreless innings over his previous two begins.
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