Manny Machado hit two home runs to tie Nate Colbert for the San Diego Padres’ career record with 163 homers and helped lead the Padres to a 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night.
Machado hit a solo home run in the first inning and then tied Colbert’s 50-year-old record with a powerful drive into the second deck in left field at the start of the eighth inning.
“It’s a special accomplishment. Obviously it’s an honor to be a part of it,” Machado said.
It was even more special that it happened in front of a sellout crowd of 42,595.
”Great. This is what I wanted, to do it in front of the home crowd,” Machado added, blowing a bubble as he rounded second base and again as he reached the plate. “They deserve it. Just do it at home, it makes it that much more special.”
Manager Mike Shildt described Machado’s second home run as “a big boy home run.”
Shildt also said tying the franchise record is “a big deal.” He added, “This franchise has been here a long time. It’s a big accomplishment for Manny and we’re proud of him and excited for him.”
Machado matched Colbert’s record with 20 games remaining in his sixth season with the Padres. Colbert set the record in six seasons with the Padres, from their expansion year in 1969 through 1974. Colbert hit 173 total homers in his career, including with four other teams.
Machado’s 25th home run of the season was his 42nd multi-homer game since his rookie year in 2012.
In his 13-year career, Machado has hit 338 home runs. He had 162 with Baltimore, 13 with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being traded on July 18, 2018, and signed with the Padres as a free agent on February 21, 2019.
“I mean, he’s Manny Machado,” said winner Michael King. “All of it’s very much expected, but when you look at the statistics that he’s put up, defensively and offensively, it’s been a joy to pitch in front of. He changes games and it’s showing.”
