Tatis, Padres out-slug the Mets

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 18: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a lead off home run with David MacIas #46 during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images T

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What is the story about?

The Mets dropped the middle game of their three-game set with the Padres, 5-2.

The Mets’ string of good luck somewhat dried up tonight, although starter Zac Thornton gave them a perfectly cromulent start, five inning performance, allowing three earned runs on two home runs, while striking out seven and walking just one. Thornton has bent but not broke in many of his starts thus far, and this start continued that trend.

In fact, if Thornton had been able to control Fernando Tatis Jr., his start would’ve

looked quite different. Tatis drilled two home runs in the first five innings, driving in three runs and putting the Padres up ahead enough that he didn’t need the insurance runs provided by his teammates. But alas, Tatis has woken up his bat in the second half, and Thornton was on the other side of that tonight.

The sole Mets’ offense came from solo home runs from Luis Torrens and Luis Robert Jr. The Torrens renaissance continues, and while Robert is more than likely not a Met next season, it’s nice to see the Mets producing up and down the lineup. Bo Bichette collected two hits, and first baseman [checks notes] Christopher Morel collected one hit as well. But aside from a few walks, that’s all folks.

Some of that can be credited to Robbie Ray, who looked really good over his six innings of work, allowing just three hits, three walks, and striking out four. He wasn’t overpowering, but he kept the Mets off-balance enough to limit their productivity.

Ty France singled home Jase Bowen in the seventh off of Jack Weisenburger and Manny Machado added a solo home run in the ninth off of Dedniel Nuñez, but overall the Mets’ bullpen was similarly fine tonight. After four games in a row where the Mets looked like they had some juice behind them, tonight just looked flat.

Tomorrow, Robert Stock makes his fourth start of the season, facing off against Michael King in the rubber game in a matinee at Citi Field.