Manny Machado Powers Padres to .500 at All-Star Break with 3-Hit Finale

Manny Machado drove in two runs with a 3-for-4 performance on July 13, 2026, leading the San Diego Padres to a 5-4 comeback win over the Toronto Blue Jays and a .500 record at the All-Star break.

What happened?

On the final day of the first half, Manny Machado ended a brutal slump with a sharp, clutch showing at Petco Park. He singled in the sixth to tie the game at 4-4, then delivered another RBI single in the eighth after Xander Bogaerts stole second. The Padres won 5-4, finishing the first half at 48-48. Machado went 8-for-16 over his final four games, raising his average above .200 for the first time since May 8.

Why it matters for Manny Machado?

Machado spent most of the first half hitting below .180, the worst average among qualified hitters in MLB. His OPS hovered near .600, and his power — 19 homers — was the only bright spot. But his final four games changed the narrative. Manager Craig Stammen said the Padres go how Machado goes. With the Trade Deadline in three weeks, his resurgence gives the front office reason to believe he can carry them into contention.

What comes next?

The Padres now sit 3.5 games behind the final NL Wild Card spot, thanks to Miami’s losses. Machado’s hot streak comes at the perfect time. General manager A.J. Preller has said all options are on the table before the Deadline. If San Diego wants to buy, they need Machado to keep hitting like this — not just with power, but with consistency. His eight-pitch at-bat before the game-tying single showed the patience they’ve been missing. The break ends Friday. He’ll need to carry this momentum into the second half.

How did the team respond?

After Adrian Morejon gave up a go-ahead single in the top of the eighth, the Padres didn’t flinch. Bogaerts led off with a single and stole second. Machado worked the count full before driving in the tying run. Craig Stammen called it a good taste to carry into the break. But he knows the real test starts Friday. The Padres won’t win with defense alone. They need Machado to be the engine — and for now, he’s turning over.