SAN DIEGO (AP) — Manny Machado seemed as happy to see brother-in-law Yonder Alonso as he did with hitting two home runs.
Machado, one of the hottest hitters in the majors, had two impressive homers and Nick Martinez threw seven strong innings to lead the San Diego Padres to a 2-1 victory against the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.
Alonso, who played with the Padres for four seasons during his big league career, made a surprise visit to the clubhouse to chat with Machado afterward. Alonso is currently an analyst with MLB Network.
“I just got surprised by that,” Machado said. “He just showed up. I just saw him in the booth in Denver this morning. He caught a flight and came over here. That’s what family does. He’s the best. I love him.”
Both homers by the $300 million third baseman came off left-hander Jesus Luzardo. Machado homered to straightaway center field with two outs in the first inning and then hit a shot into the second deck in left field with one out in the fourth.
Machado took over the team lead with seven homers. It was his first multi-homer game of the season and 31st of his career.
“I’m playing good baseball,” Machado said. “Continue doing that, it’s all that matters.”
Machado and Eric Hosmer have been carrying the Padres in the absence of star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., who is out until mid-June or later with a broken left wrist. Machado came in leading the majors with 35 hits and tied for first with 23 runs and second behind Hosmer with a .365 average.
“I think we’re playing good baseball overall,” Machado said. “Obviously myself and Hos are preforming at a high level but I think we’re playing really good baseball overall as a group.”
San Diego’s Bob Melvin was at the ballpark but did not manage due to a non-COVID illness. He was replaced by bench…
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