San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) gestures after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at Petco Park. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Manny Machado hits home run after Anthony Rizzo drops foul popup

Originally posted on Sportress of Blogitude
By Jason Rowan | Last updated 6/8/21

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.

Never give Manny Machado a second look

Dropped on a pop-up, the @Cubs paid the price…#MLB #HungryForMore #MLBEurope pic.twitter.com/nzC8q3DKmi
— MLB Europe (@MLBEurope) June 8, 2021

Machado’s blast measured 352 feet.

#Cubs 4 @ #Padres 7 [B8-0o]:

Manny Machado homers (8): fly ball to RF (solo)

Hit: 352ft, 97.5mph, 36°, OPPO

Pitch: 88.3mph Slider (RHP Cory Abbott, 1)
— Home Run Tracker (@DingerTracker) June 8, 2021

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.

This article first appeared on Sportress of Blogitude and was syndicated with permission.

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