In his first game since July 30, San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. returned doing what only Fernando Tatis Jr. does. The National League MVP went 4-for-5 with his eighth career multi-homer game, a double, and a two-run single.

Tatis Jr. and the Padres ended their season-worst four-game losing skid (done twice this season). The 22-year-old superstar raised his batting average up nine points to .300 for the first time since July 6. He also raised his OPS to 1.054, which will lead the league once he qualifies again (five PA off).

Padres’ first baseman Eric Hosmer went 2-for-4 with a walk as he raised his season batting average to .280. Since July 1, Hosmer has hit .342/.409/.509 (.918 OPS) with four home runs and 11 extra-base hits.

As a team, San Diego went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, but thanks to three home runs from Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth, it was not a game decider.

The Padres went with a bullpen game as starting pitcher Chris Paddack continues his injured list stint. Craig Stammen and Reiss Knehr went the first four innings, giving up one run on five hits while striking out one each.

Going one inning each, Pierce Johnson (5th), Tim Hill (6th), Daniel Hudson (7th), Emilio Pagan (8th) and Austin Adams (9th) combined for just one run while striking out six hitters over five innings.

Player of the Game:

Fernando Tatis Jr. (4-5, 2-HR, 2B, 4-RBI) has been unreal in his first games back from the IL, hitting a home run in all three. In those three games combined, he has gone 9-for-15 (.667) with four home runs and seven extra-base hits.

Up next:

The Padres travel to Coors Field to face the Colorado Rockies, who the Padres have struggled against this season. In the season series, both teams have won eight games each. At Coors Field, the Padres have won two of six games. Rookie left-hander Ryan Weathers will start against Colorado’s Antonio Senzatela at 5:40 p.m. PT on Monday.