Fernando Tatis Jr. finally ended his lengthy home run drought with a 451-foot solo shot to left field against Washington on Saturday. The blast gave San Diego a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning after Tatis had gone deep in 240 plate appearances - the longest drought in the major leagues this season. His teammates celebrated enthusiastically as he rounded the bases.

Despite Tatis' power display, the Padres fell 9-4 to the Nationals after surrendering six runs in the seventh inning. The superstar slugger, who hit 42 homers in 2021 and has five 20-homer seasons in his career, expressed relief after breaking through. His comments captured the pressure: "I just knew right away. About f---ing time."

Manager Craig Stammen acknowledged the burden both Tatis and the team carried during the drought. Teammate Xander Bogaerts noted how the pressure affects a player with such impressive career numbers. Despite the tough loss, Tatas' prodigious blast - which carried well into left field despite a 10 mph wind blowing in - provided a much-needed moment of relief for the struggling slugger.