Jul 27, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
St. Louis, Missouri – Manny Machado has always been capable of putting a team on his back. But this weekend in St. Louis, the Padres star added something new to his résumé: for the first time in his career, Machado collected 11 hits in a four-game series. He capped the stretch with a 4-for-5 performance on Sunday, leading San Diego to a 9–2 win over the Cardinals and salvaging a series split.
The veteran third baseman wasted no time setting the tone. In the first inning, Machado roped a double down the left field line to score Fernando Tatis Jr. and ignite a Padres offense that pounded out 16 hits. By the end of the afternoon, Machado had added another RBI double in the fourth and two singles, raising his season average to an even .300. He finished the series 11-for-17 with four extra-base hits and 13 times on base.
“I’m not gonna lie, I love the heat,” Machado said after the game. With the Midwest under a severe heat warning, the Miami native said the high-90s weather reminded him of home—and maybe that helped him find his swing.
Machado wasn’t the only Padre doing damage. Luis Arraez continued his steady run of production, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Fernando Tatis Jr. added two hits and crossed the plate three times. Xander Bogaerts kept his power surge going with a solo homer in the seventh, his seventh of the season.
On the mound, Stephen Kolek delivered six solid innings, allowing just two runs on four hits—both coming via an Alec Burleson home run. It was Kolek’s first win since late May and capped a 5–5 road trip for San Diego coming out of the All-Star break.
Sunday’s win sends the Padres home for a critical six-game homestand against the Mets and Cardinals—both postseason hopefuls. Sandwiched between those series is Thursday’s trade deadline, a day that may end up more dramatic than anything happening on the field.
For now, San Diego heads back to Petco Park with some much-needed momentum and a red-hot Machado. The Padres will open their series against the Mets on Monday with Dylan Cease set to face Frankie Montas.
