Tatis blasts off in Atlanta with 474-foot homer, longest of season
Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered a massive performance on Tuesday night in Atlanta. Facing the Braves at Truist Park, the Padres star connected on a 474-foot home run that soared into the back of the left-center-field grandstand. This blast stands as the longest home run hit in Major League Baseball throughout the 2026 season.
The home run came in the eighth inning off Braves reliever JR Ritchie, marking Tatis's third homer in his last four games and his eighth of the year. The ball left his bat with an exit velocity of 111 mph. This specific shot ranks as the second-longest of his career, trailing only a 477-foot blast at Coors Field back in 2021.
Tatis finished the night with three hits in five at-bats, including a double to complement the home run. His production reflects a steady climb since late May. After an early-season stretch without power, he is currently hitting .325 with an .891 OPS over the last two months. Manager Craig Stammen noted that Tatis navigated a difficult period and has returned as a more complete hitter.
The Padres offense received additional support as Manny Machado hit two home runs and Jackson Merrill contributed another, marking the first time this season all three players homered in the same game. With the trade deadline approaching on August 3, this surge from the team's core provides a necessary boost for a San Diego club looking to solidify its position in the standings.