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
— MLB Europe (@MLBEurope) June 8, 2021
Dropped on a pop-up, the @Cubs paid the price…#MLB #HungryForMore #MLBEurope pic.twitter.com/nzC8q3DKmi
Machado’s blast measured 352 feet.
#Cubs 4 @ #Padres 7 [B8-0o]:
— Home Run Tracker (@DingerTracker) June 8, 2021
Manny Machado homers (8): fly ball to RF (solo)
Hit: 352ft, 97.5mph, 36°, OPPO
Pitch: 88.3mph Slider (RHP Cory Abbott, 1)
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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