May 13, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a walk-off two run home run during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – In a game that saw its share of momentum swings, it was Fernando Tatis Jr. who delivered the final, emphatic blow. With one whopper of a swing, the Padres superstar launched a two-run, 430-foot walk-off homer to straightaway centerfield, lifting San Diego to a thrilling 6-4 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night at Petco Park.
After Elias Díaz worked a full-count walk to lead off the bottom of the ninth against Angels closer Kenley Jansen, Tatis stepped up and crushed a cutter over the wall. He admired the shot as he dropped the bat and ignited a raucous celebration.
“Fernando lives for those moments,” manager Mike Shildt said after the win. “You want the game in his hands.”
The homer marked Tatis’ latest in a scorching stretch — he’s now hit safely in 23 of his last 26 games.
The victory snapped the Padres’ two-game skid and ended a four-game losing streak to the Angels dating back to last season.
San Diego built an early 2-1 lead with a pair of unearned runs off Angels starter José Soriano, who nonetheless turned in a strong outing: seven innings, four hits, no earned runs. But the Padres’ bullpen faltered in the seventh, as the Angels mounted a two-out rally. An RBI double by Jo Adell tied it, and Matthew Lugo followed with a pinch-hit, two-run homer to give Los Angeles a 4-2 edge.
The Padres responded quickly in the bottom of the seventh, scoring twice to even the score 4-4 and set the stage for Tatis’ heroics.
San Diego starter Dylan Cease was sharp, striking out 10 over 6 2/3 innings while allowing two runs on five hits. Reliever Jason Adam worked a clean top of the ninth to pull out a win.
Notably quiet was Jackson Merrill, who entered the game riding a six-game multihit streak. He went 0-for-4, though two of his outs were deep fly balls to the warning track.
The series wraps Wednesday night with Randy Vásquez taking the mound for San Diego against the Angels’ Kyle Hendricks. A series win would be a welcome boost for the Friars, who continue to battle for position in a tight NL West race.
