With inputs from Associated Press

Returning after a few weeks time on the sidelines, Fernando Tatis Jr. slugged two home runs leading the San Diego Padres to an 8-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Major League Baseball on Sunday.

Following his heroic return from the injury list, the 22-year-old All-Star said grinning, “Make them remember why they missed you.”  

Playing right field for the first time in his professional career and batting leadoff, Tatis ripped a double down the third-base line to start the game.

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In the third inning, he blasted his first home run of the day, a soaring single drive that cleared the left-field wall. His 33rd home run came in the fifth inning, and while it was a low liner, it cleared the wall in the same place, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead.

“Fernando being Fernando,” the Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer said, according to AP inputs. “It never ceases to amaze any of us.”

It was Tatis’ fifth multihomer game this season and No. 8 for his career. He had been on the injured list since July 31 after partially dislocating his left shoulder for the third time this season.

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Although he wasn’t challenged much in the outfield on Sunday, Tatis had few routine catches to make. “It was pretty chill,” he said.

The return of Tatis is a huge boost for the Padres, who have 15 players on the injured list and have taken a nosedive in the NL West standings. 

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Meanwhile, Jake Cronenworth also went deep, helping San Diego stop a four-game losing streak, according to AP inputs. His two-run shot later in the fifth pushed San Diego ahead 4-1. It was his 17th of the season.

For Arizona, Josh Rojas hit a solo homer in the fifth. It was his 11th of the season.