Machado’s grand slam elevates Padres over Dodgers 6-2

Manny Machado has been one of the biggest disappointments on this Padres team as of late. Prior to the team’s final game of their most-recent series against the D-Backs, he was batting a dismal .193 with just two home runs on the year. But in the Friars’ slugfest on August 9th, Machado went yard for two of the team’s five total home runs in that 9-5 win in Arizona. Just two games later, Machado almost single-handedly swung the Padres to victory over the Dodgers in last night’s 6-2 victory with a game-breaking grand slam in the third.

The Padres and Dodgers are now tied for second place in the division with an overall record of 11-7. The first place Rockies are 1.5 games ahead at 12-5.

Like Monday’s contest, the Dodgers got out to an early 1-0 lead with a base hit from SS Chris Taylor that brought home 3B Justin Turner who smacked a double to deep left to begin the second inning.

At the top of the third, Jake Cronenworth doubled to left center before Austin Hedges hit a sacrifice fly to bring him around the bases which tied things at 1-1. Hedges would actually make it onto first due to a throwing error by pitcher Ross Stripling.

Jurickson Profar took advantage of another throwing error on his pop fly, this one by Turner from third, making it to first and pushing Hedges to second. Fernando Tatis would then record a base hit, loading the bases with zero outs in the inning. Trent Grisham tried to take advantage of the situation but grounded out into a fielder’s choice which ended with Hedges being thrown out at home.

Unlike Grisham, Machado wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to make a splash in such an ideal situation. On the very first pitch from Stripling, Machado sent this one straight back through centerfield and into the stands for a commanding 5-1 lead.

That lead would stand until Profar added his home home run in the top of the fifth to push the score to an even better-looking 6-1. In the final stanza, the Dodgers were able to tack on one more run but that was all she wrote in this one.

Garrett Richards pitched a solid six innings, allowing six runs and K-ing three with two walks. Pierce Johnson relieved Richards and struck out two in his lone inning of action.

The Dodgers’ Stripling lasted 4.2 innings, allowing six hits, two runs, and striking out four with a pair of walks.

Game three tonight is back in Dodger Stadium with an opening pitch set for 6:40pm. THe matchup on the mound will be Zach Davies (2-1) vs. right-handed Tony Gonsolin (0-0) who will be making his second start of the year.