Freddy Fermin accomplished a new feat after he delivered a rare power surge to help San Diego Padres break out of a deep offensive slump and secure a 3-2 win at Petco Park. Fermin homered in three consecutive games, becoming the first Padres player to accomplish the feat since Fernando Tatis Jr. did so from Sept. 21-27, 2022, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic.
Tatis didn't appear in every game during that run due to COVID, but the streak still marked the last time a San Diego hitter produced home runs in three consecutive appearances. Fermin’s latest home run came in the seventh inning on Saturday night and proved decisive in a close game.
The 31-year-old entered the at-bat with a long hitless run, then ended it with a first-pitch swing against a sinker from Austin Warren. The ball traveled into the left-field seats and gave the Padres a 3-2 lead, which they held to secure only their third win in their last 14 games.
Fermin had been without a hit in his last 30 at-bats over his previous 12 games and had not recorded a hit since May 14. His batting average had dropped to .125 during that stretch, and his longest hitless streak reached 34 plate appearances. The homer also ended a drought of 149 plate appearances without a home run dating back to September 16 of the previous season.
Before the breakthrough, Fermin had lost his regular offensive rhythm and often sat late in games as the Padres used pinch-hitters in key situations. His value had leaned heavily on his defense behind the plate, while his bat struggled to produce consistent contact or power.
The Padres entered the game in poor form, with the offense failing to produce steady run support across the series. They had lost 11 of their previous 14 games and struggled to generate timely hits. That made Fermin’s seventh-inning swing even more important, as it shifted momentum in a game defined by tight pitching and limited scoring chances.
© Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Fermin finished the night with two RBIs, both coming on the home run that changed the outcome. The Padres responded emotionally in the dugout, and the swing gave them a rare late-inning lead in a game where they had trailed for most of the night.
Fermin’s offensive role had become uncertain as the team searched for consistent production from the catcher position, but he managed to deliver one of the most impactful swings of the season for San Diego.
The Padres will now look to build on the win as they try to stabilize their offense. Fermin’s three-game home run streak provides a rare bright spot in a difficult stretch for the team.
