It’s the top of the first inning of a game at Petco Park, and he’s facing Padres left-hander JP Sears. Devers launches one that looks like it’s destined for the right-field seats …
Tatis has now robbed Devers of a home run two years in a row — and the circumstances have been nearly identical, right down to the pitcher on the mound (even if Tatis’ two catches were very different).
“Kind of sucks, obviously we’re from the same country, the Dominican,” Tatis said, after the Giants’ 4-1 victory over the Padres on Thursday night. “But between the lines, doesn’t matter.”
For Thursday’s catch, Tatis ranged deep into the gap before leaping and making the play right in front of the short wall in right-center field. The catch itself was smooth, but not all that spectacular.
“Just another routine play,” Tatis said with a wry grin.
Not exactly. Tatis still needed to cover 94 feet to make the catch, per Statcast — an impressive number on most catches, let alone a home run robbery.
But no, it wasn’t at the same level as the catch Tatis made on Aug. 20, 2025, when he robbed Devers as part of an absurd stretch in which Tatis robbed four home runs in a span of 27 home games. On that one, Tatis leapt above the big wall in straightaway right field at Petco Park.
Devers won’t have too many complaints this time. His deep drive plated the game’s first run on a sacrifice fly. In fact, as Tatis came down, he fell to the warning track dirt and needed to flip the ball to center fielder Jackson Merrill to keep the other runner at first base.
“He did everything amazing, except he didn’t stick the landing,” quipped manager Craig Stammen.
Devers, of course, would get the last laugh in the Giants’ victory. He pounded out three hits, one of which he placed as far away from Tatis as possible — a perfect bunt single up the third-base line.
“[Tatis] is as athletic as anybody that’s in pro sports,” said Giants manager Tony Vitello. “When the ball was lofted and in the air, the way that it was, we knew he’d have an opportunity. It was an outstanding play. Funny how the game balances out. [Devers] hammers that ball, doesn’t get anything for it other than the sac fly. But he gets on with a bunt.”
