San Diego Padres slugger Manny Machado didn’t wait long to capitalize on Anthony Rizzo’s gaffe in the field during Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park.
Machado hit a sky-high popup into foul territory along the first base line during the eighth inning, which Rizzo inexplicably dropped. On the very next offering from Cubs reliever Cory Abbott, a slider with a 2-2 count, Machado deposited an opposite-field home run into the right field seats.
Making matters worse, Machado added insult to injury when he appeared to point at Rizzo as he rounded the bases.
Machado’s blast measured 352 feet.
The two-run round-tripper provided the Padres a five-run cushion in a 9-4 win.
It’s been a bit of a slog at the plate for Machado so far this season. The four-time All-Star infielder is slashing at a .239/.328/.421 clip with eight home runs and 36 RBI across 54 games for the 37-25 Padres.
San Diego sits 1.5 games back of the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. Perhaps Machado’s second-chance round-tripper will lead the slugger to a return to form as June’s schedule plays out.
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