The San Diego Padres dropped Friday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0.
Four of those runs, coming from one play.
Two-time platinum glove winner–the highest defensive honor in the MLB—Fernando Tatis Jr. let a ball sneak under his glove on a bases loaded knock from Cardinals‘ JJ Wetherholt.
Tatis’ error, and the lack of Padres’ offense, ultimately cost starting pitcher Griffin Canning his first loss in his second start of 2026.
An ugly one. Fernando Tatis Jr.’s error looms large. But even if Tatis makes that play, the Padres would’ve needed to score a few — and they now haven’t scored in the last 17 innings.
After the game, Canning, manager Craig Stammen, and Jackson Merrill all came to the support of Tatis, while the 27-year-old was nowhere to be found.
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San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. Leaves Before Media After ‘Little League’ Error
Per Padres’ YouTuber Jim Russell, Fernando Tatis Jr. left before the media could enter the locker room to avoid commenting on his outfield error.
“Tatis, who is usually at his locker and willing to answer questions about whatever occurs in the game, had departed by the time the media entered the clubhouse Friday,” the tweet read.
While this is not a great look on the former platinum gold glover, Padres’ manager Craig Stammen came to the defense of Tatis.
“He’s a playmaker, just trying to make a play,” said Padres manager Craig Stammen. “He just came up short. He’s coming in trying to make a play, trying to throw the guy out. Things like that happen. He’s not a perfect player. Nobody’s a perfect player. Even the best players in the world make mistakes.”
Outfielding counterpart Jackson Merill, calls Tatis’ error “aggressive.”
Griffin Canning, who was on the mound during Tatis’ error reminded everyone that this happens from time-to-time in baseball.
“It’s baseball; it happens,” Canning said of Tatis’ error. “I’ve got to find a way to pick him up after that.
In 2021, Tatis signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension, which includes a no trade clause through 2028.
While the few seasons following his deal, Tatis played like a $340 million player, 2026 is not shaping up with the same result.
In 37 games, Tatis’ splits are .248/.318/.299, with an OPS of .617 and zero home runs.
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MLB World Reacts to Fernando Tatis Jr.’s Error on Social Media
Following the San Diego Padres’ terrible loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, fans on social media shared their reactions to Fernando Tatis Jr.’s error.
@JimRussellSD: Fernando Tatis Jr is so lucky he plays in San Diego lol He’s probably so glad he has a no trade clause.
@kylestelter78 replied to Russell’s tweet: If he was playing in Philly or New York there wouldn’t be a single fan defending him it’s insane.
@theMayor_Mike: Padres should’ve traded Fernando Tatis Jr 2-3 years ago but everyone thought he was some “untouchable” symbol of the city. Bad player, liability, bad person.
• committed more errors (1) • been caught stealing more times (3) • lost more ABS challenges (1)
… than he has hit home runs (0).
Many fans were specifically calling out Tatis’ lack of hustle when he was jogging to the ball after committing his error.
@DanClarkSports: WHAT A DISGRACE! Fernando Tatis Jr.’s lazy attitude here is abhorrent. Makes the error and then casually jogs after the ball, allowing an additional run (or two) to score. Terrible defense. Terrible hitting. Terrible attitude. Time to set an example and bench him. Pathetic!!
@23cmcpadres: Fernando Tatis Jr jogging after the ball that got by him and on to the warning track is the worst part of all of this. I don’t care if he’s hitting baseballs 140 mph. He has 0 homers and is now doing stuff like this. Bench him. Do something. It’s over.
Fernando Tatis Jr. Refuses to Comment On Costly Defensive Error vs. Cardinals