Fernando Tatis Jr. Powers Padres With 3-Run Homer in 7-2 Win

Q: What hidden adjustments allowed a slumping, injured slugger to suddenly ignite a crucial wild-card victory?

Gavin Sheets’ breakout swing in the Padres’ 7-2 win appears to have come from a mix of quiet mechanical and approach changes finally syncing up despite his plantar fasciitis. The clearest adjustment was in his setup. Earlier reporting on Sheets’ resurgence in San Diego noted that he had returned to a more upright stance, raised his hands closer to his head, and swapped a toe tap for a small hover move. Those changes improved his timing and made him more athletic through the swing, especially on pitches he could drive. Just as important, he became more selective, looking to unleash his best swing on hittable pitches instead of simply putting the ball in play. The underlying data around his season shows why that matters. When Sheets was going well, he was recognizing sliders and changeups better, drawing more walks, and forcing pitchers to attack him more honestly. During his slump, those secondary pitches again became a problem and his power dried up. On Sunday, though, he not only homered for the first time since June 30 but also drew a walk, a sign that his at-bats were sharper, not just luckier. Health likely played a role as well. Sheets has been battling plantar fasciitis, which can disrupt a hitter’s base, timing and weight transfer. Even a partial improvement there may have helped restore the lower-half stability needed for his power. The result was a swing that looked closer to the dangerous April-and-May version the Padres had been missing.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 10

Tatis went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer and a double Sunday, driving the Padres' 7-2 victory over Houston.
Three homers in his last five games suggest his power stroke is returning, and this was his first non-solo shot in that stretch.
The blast also tied Tatis for second on the Padres' all-time home run list, part of a four-homer team effort that sealed the series win.
Over 117 games this season, Tatis is batting .283 with a .769 OPS, 11 homers, 54 RBI, 64 runs and 26 stolen bases.