SAN DIEGO -- Ty France has hit his share of home runs in San Diego. The Padres' infielder played under Tony Gwynn at San Diego State, after all.

France added another dinger to the list on Tuesday night. This one came in the big leagues.

The 24-year-old launched his first career home run in the fourth inning of the Padres’ 7-6 loss to the Mets, a 380-foot rocket off the left-field scoreboard below the second deck. The two-run blast came on a hanging slider from Noah Syndergaard, and it broke a 2-2 tie.

“To finally get one out, it was awesome, especially to get one off Syndergaard, who's been so dominant,” France said. “It's an awesome experience; just wish we'd gotten the dub.”

As recently as two months ago, there didn't seem to be much opportunity for France with the Padres. He entered Spring Training as the favorite to start at third base, but when Manny Machado signed, France was left without an obvious position.

France still forced his way onto the big league bench in late April. He opened the season by raking at Triple-A El Paso, and his bat was simply too hot to pass up.

When Fernando Tatis Jr. went down with a hamstring injury, Machado moved to short, and France began getting regular reps at third base.

Tatis could return this weekend (though the Padres aren’t divulging his status). When that happens, France will be left without a position again. But he might get time at a few different spots on the diamond -- perhaps second base. The club likes his bat, after all. On Tuesday, it was easy to see why.

“It's a good swing off a very good pitcher,” said Padres manager Andy Green. “He'll remember it for the rest of his life.”