Padres News: Fernando Tatis Reacts to Julio Rodriguez’s Viral Home Run Robbery

This is just the way things are going for Tatis right now.

The Padres were shut out in their series-opening loss to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night, but for a moment, it appeared that shutout was gone.

In the top of the 4th inning, Fernando Tatis Jr. crushed a ball to deep centerfield that appeared to give the Padres a 1-0 lead. However, Julio Rodriguez of the Mariners had other plans.

Rodriguez leaped up and snatched the ball, but waited a few seconds to make it known that he had caught it.

Julio Rodriguez had EVERYONE FOOLED with the robbery 🤣

(via @Mariners)pic.twitter.com/5rPlpUUYv9

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 9, 2023

For just a few moments, everyone thought Tatis had a home run. Well, everyone except Tatis and Rodriguez (via the San Diego Union-Tribune).

“I knew he caught it,” Tatis said. “We know each other very well. I knew he was gonna try and do something like that. But I also saw it go into his glove.”

Rodriguez reacted to the viral moment, too.

“Me and Tatis, we’re really good friends. For him being the one that hit it, it was just kind of like, ‘Man, I got you.’ But, you know, I wasn’t expecting him to be running through, almost at third when I caught it. … I thought everybody knew I caught it. I was walking back and I was like OK, nobody really see it. Even the umpire was waiting. So that was kinda cool.”

It was a hilarious moment for the baseball world to enjoy, everyone except the Padres and their fans, that is.

The Padres would end up being shut out, and drop to 55-59 on the year. For Tatis, it continued a rough slump, and at this point, he doesn't know what else to do to get out of it.

Tatis and the Padres will have a chance to get revenge on Wednesday night in Seattle, with first pitch set for 6:40 p.m. PT.