Machado's two-run blast powers Padres into top wild card spot
Manny Machado has made a habit of playing the villain in Los Angeles. On Wednesday night, he added another chapter to one of baseball's best rivalries.
On September 23, 2026, in a pivotal National League West matchup at Dodger Stadium, the San Diego Padres secured their first win in a four-game losing streak to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Friars' Manny Machado, known for his rivalry with the Dodgers, drove in two runs with his 29th home run of the season and 29th against Los Angeles.
The Padres' rally was bolstered by a stellar bullpen performance, as five relievers combined for six strikeouts, allowing just three hits and no runs. The Padres' offense, which had struggled early in the season, exploded with Fernando Tatis Jr. continuing his hot bat streak with his fourth three-hit game of the month, extending his hitting streak to six games.
With this victory, the Padres now sit atop the National League's Wild Card standings, one game ahead of the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, and can clinch a postseason berth with a win over the Dodgers or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss to the Colorado Rockies.
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