Aug. 19 (UPI) — Fernando Tatis Jr. homered twice and performed an immaculate grand slam robbery to help the San Diego Padres beat the New York Mets in Flushing, N.Y.

The All-Star outfielder homered in the first and fifth innings of the 5-2 triumph Tuesday at Citi Field. He stole a would-be grand slam from shortstop Francisco Lindor in the bottom of the second.

“He doesn’t just do it,” Padres manager Craig Stammen told reporters. “He does it with a flair.”

The Padres, who have won eight of their last 10 games, remain in the lead for the third wild card slot. They hold a two game lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks for the National League’s final playoff ticket.

Tatis started his exploits by hitting the first pitch of the night to left field for a 452-foot home run. The Mets attempted to rally in the bottom of the next inning. Padres starter Robbie Ray started the frame with walks issued to designated hitter Francisco Alvarez and first baseman Christopher Morel. Second baseman Marcus Semien flew out in the next at-bat.

Ray proceeded to walk left fielder A.J. Ewing to load the bases. Lindor walked to the plate two at-bats later. He watched a Ray changeup miss the zone for a ball. He then smacked a 1-0 sinker deep to right field.

Tatis watched the ball cruise 337 feet toward the right field corner. He left his feet over the warning track and reached his gloved left hand high over the wall before snagging the ball. Tatis landed and celebrated the catch by flipping the ball out of his glove and into his right hand.

He returned to the plate in the top of the fifth to face Mets starter Zac Thornton for a third time. The Padres slugger unloaded on a 2-1 fastball, sending the pitch to right center for a 379-foot, two-run blast.

Catcher Luis Torrens hit a 417-foot solo shot for the Mets’ first run to lead off the bottom of the fifth. Padres first baseman Ty France responded with an RBI single in the top of the seventh.

Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. drove in the Mets’ final run with a 390-foot solo shot in the bottom of the eighth. Padres third baseman Manny Machado hit a 397-foot solo homer in the top of the ninth for the game’s final run.

Ray allowed just three hits and one run over six innings to improve to 11-7 this season. Thornton surrendered six hits and three runs over five innings to drop to 3-4.

Tatis went 2 for 5 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a strikeout. He hit .280 with 15 home runs, 28 stolen bases and 60 RBIs through his first 125 games this season.

The Padres (68-59) remain in second place in the National League West, eight games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers (76-51).

The Mets (57-70) remain in last place in the National League East, 17.5 games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves (74-52).