Manny Machado returns to lineup with clutch homer after foot soreness

Manny Machado crushed a seventh-inning homer on Thursday night to lift the San Diego Padres past the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 at Petco Park on 14 Jul 2026.

Machado, batting cleanup, faced righty Merrill Kelly with two on and two out in the fifth. San Diego managed just one run in the first six frames, but Machado broke the deadlock in the seventh. He drove a 0-2 fastball from Kyle Hurt over the center-field wall, giving the Padres a 3-1 lead. The blast was his fourth homer in eight games and sixth in 14 contests.

Machado had been held out of Wednesday’s lineup with soreness in his left foot after fouling a ball off it on Tuesday. The Padres ruled him day-to-day, but he returned Thursday-batting cleanup and flashing vintage power. His three-run blast off Joe Ross in the tenth last Saturday had already sparked a 6-5 win, his fifth RBI in that game alone.

The 33-year-old’s slash line sits at .185/.265/.384, but he’s heating up: .279 with eight homers and 23 RBI over his last 30 games. His average sat at .196 before the recent surge, and his .203 finish on Wednesday marked his first game above the Mendoza Line since 7 May. Still, his season average remains a modest .169/.254/.342.

San Diego continues to slot Machado fourth in the order, a testament to his veteran status. But after a .126 slump over his last 30 games-while somehow slugging .333 with seven homers-questions linger about his long-term role. The Padres’ lineup construction may need an adjustment if Machado can’t sustain this rebound.