Machado’s Homer Snaps Padres’ 8-Game Losing Streak

The San Diego Padres finally found a way to win, snapping their frustrating eight-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium. Manny Machado provided the decisive blow, launching a three-run homer in the seventh inning that proved to be the difference.

This win was a much-needed exhale for a Padres team that had endured its longest losing streak in 13 years, dropping games in various fashion, including a series sweep against their archrivals. The tension had been palpable, even leading to manager Craig Stammen and infield coach Ryan Goins being ejected in the first inning for arguing a check-swing call.

Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|—|—|
| Result | Padres 5, Dodgers 2 |
| Streak Ended | Padres’ 8-game losing streak |
| Decisive Play | Manny Machado’s 3-run homer in 7th inning |
| Padres Pitching Highlight | JP Sears: 5 scoreless innings, 1 hit, 2 walks, 5 Ks |

Machado’s Defining Moment

With the Padres clinging to a 2-0 lead in the top of the seventh and runners on base, Machado stepped up against Dodgers right-hander Kyle Hurt. Falling behind 0-2, Machado admitted he couldn’t see the ball clearly due to stadium shadows. “I missed the first two — couldn’t really pull the trigger on it,” Machado said. “And then the last one, I was just like: ‘All right, I’m just going to swing at whatever comes my way.’ That was a lucky one.” Despite his self-assessment, the result was a towering blast to center field, his 18th of the season, which ignited the dugout and ultimately sealed the victory.

Sears Delivers a Surprise Gem

A significant factor in the Padres’ ability to end their skid was the unexpected strong performance from pitcher JP Sears. Tasked with stepping up during a demanding stretch of games, Sears delivered five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while walking two and striking out five. Manager Craig Stammen acknowledged that Sears exceeded expectations, as the team had not initially planned for him to go that deep into the game. “He was just pitching so good. … We also had it in our heads: ‘If he’s rolling, we’re going to let him roll.’” Sears has now made three starts for the Padres, with two of them being highly effective, offering a potential boost to the team’s rotation.

A Collective Sigh of Relief

The victory allows the Padres to take a breath and move forward with a more positive outlook as they head into a crucial homestand before the All-Star break. “You just have to win after the losing streak,” Stammen stated. “Whenever that win happens, it’s a big win. And it allows us to take a breath, and then get back after it.” While the losing streak still leaves the Padres below .500 and outside of a playoff spot, this win provides a much-needed morale boost and a chance to build momentum.

Source: MLB Official News RSS – https://www.mlb.com/news/manny-machado-s-homer-lifts-padres-past-dodgers-to-snap-8-game-skid

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