Front Row Seat: Tatis robs another HR in Michael King's return

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San Diego Padres

Ninth-inning homer gives Reds victory in game highlighted by Michael King’s return for Padres - San Diego Union-Tribune
There is no way to downplay how big a win it is that King would be healthy for the Padres as they approach October.

The right-hander, who was sidelined 10 starts into the season with a nerve impingement near his throwing shoulder and made it through two innings in a start in August before going back on the injured list with left knee inflammation, made it through five innings on 63 pitches Tuesday.

When King was not leaving fastball balls in the fat part of the strike zone, he was generally every bit of the top-shelf starter the Padres anticipated he would be for them this season.

Tatis' sky show breaks out a new act: HR robbery with a boost - MLB.com
Even by his own lofty standards, it was sensational. Stephenson’s fly ball was hit hard, on a line, forcing Tatis to retreat quickly to the wall. In one motion, he leapt, kicked his right leg into the wall for leverage and reached his left arm over the wall to make the catch.

“It was a quicker one, so I needed to get to the wall quicker,” Tatis said. “Really just, last second ... get to the wall and jump. Kind of muscle memory where I thought the ball was going to be. Good luck for me, it was there.”

Tatis nearly doubled up Gavin Lux at first base, as well. When Lux slid safely into first base, Tatis took his glove off his hand and rested it on top of his hat as Petco Park erupted around him.

Padres Daily: Manny handled; homerless at home; more Tatis thievery - San Diego Union-Tribune
Machado went 0-for-4 last night and is batting .199 with a .566 OPS in 36 games since Aug. 1. He is batting .148 with a .450 OPS over the past 15 games, which include three at Coors Field, where he has historically excelled but this past weekend went 2-for-13 with one homer. He has two home runs in the past six games and three home runs in his past 37 games (dating to July 30).

“It sucks that it’s happening at this moment,” Machado said last night. “But it’s part of the game. As long as we’re winning games and we’re in a good spot, that’s all that matters. Doesn’t matter what I’m doing. My stats don’t matter. It’s about winning ballgames at the end of the day. So if I can contribute — not doing much right now to do it — but as long as we win games, it’s all that matters.”