Manny Machado's Grand Slam Propels Padres Past Mets in NL West Race

Manny Machado delivered a crucial grand slam in the fifth inning to lead the San Diego Padres to a 7-4 victory over the New York Mets, a key matchup between postseason contenders. Machado's grand slam, his 14th career and second of the season, gave the Padres a 6-2 lead and was the first allowed by Mets starter David Peterson in 130 games, highlighting Machado's calm and clutch hitting under pressure. This win kept the Padres two games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and five games ahead of the Mets for the second NL wild card spot, strengthening their postseason position. Padres manager Mike Shildt praised Machado's composure and consistency, which has been pivotal during the Padres' strong finish to the season alongside stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill. The Padres' bullpen, including closer Robert Suarez, successfully maintained the lead in a game that resembled playoff intensity, underscoring the high stakes as the regular season winds down. Machado's performance and the Padres' resilience suggest they are well-positioned for a deep playoff run and possibly overtaking the Dodgers in the tight NL West race.