Manny Machado homered twice and drove in four runs, Chris Paddack one-hit Seattle for six shutout innings and the San Diego Padres beat the Mariners 6-1 Friday night to reduce their magic number to two for clinching their first playoff berth in 14 seasons.
The Padres are closing in on their first playoff berth since winning the NL West in 2006. They’ve already clinched their first winning season since 2010. The Mariners’ loss helped the Oakland Athletics clinch their third straight playoff berth.
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Manny Machado homered twice and drove in four runs, Chris Paddack one-hit Seattle for six shutout innings and the San Diego Padres beat the Mariners 6-1 Friday night to reduce their magic number to two for clinching their first playoff berth in 14 seasons.
While Machado stayed hot with a multi-homer game that gave him 16 for the season — tied for the NL lead with Mookie Betts of the Dodgers — as well as 45 RBIs, Fernando Tatis Jr. remained mired in a slump. He went 0 for 4 with a walk and three strikeouts. He's gone hitless in three straight games for the first time in his career and is 2 for 31 in his last nine games, with his average dropping from .314 to .275.
After Tatis walked and was thrown out trying to steal second for the second out of the ninth, Machado homered to left-center off Walker Lockett.
Seattle’s Evan White homered off Pierce Johnson with one out in the eighth, his sixth.
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The Padres won the opener of a three-game series that was moved from Seattle because of poor air quality due to wildfires. The Padres batted first but wore their home white pinstripes.
San Diego Padres' Manny Machado points skyward after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in San Diego. (AP PhotoDenis Poroy)
While Machado stayed hot with a multi-homer game that gave him 16 for the season — tied for the NL lead with Mookie Betts of the Dodgers — as well as 45 RBIs, Fernando Tatis Jr. remained mired in a slump. He went 0 for 4 with a walk and three strikeouts. He's gone hitless in three straight games for the first time in his career and is 2 for 31 in his last nine games, with his average dropping from .314 to .275.
Paddack (4-4) was brilliant in bouncing back from his last start, when he left after just two innings due to a sprained ankle. He allowed only a single to Evan White leading off the third while striking out three and walking two.
Machado hit a three-run homer off left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (2-4) to deep left-center with two outs in the fourth. Rookie Jake Cronenworth was aboard on a walk and Trent Grisham on an RBI fielder’s choice.
San Diego Padres' San Diego Padres Manny Machado is congratulated by Jake Cronenworth (9) after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in San Diego. (AP PhotoDenis Poroy)
After Tatis walked and was thrown out trying to steal second for the second out of the ninth, Machado homered to left-center off Walker Lockett.
The Padres scored a run in the third without benefit of a hit. Grisham and Machado walked, executed a double steal and Grisham scored on a wild pitch.
Kikuchi had a rough night, allowing five runs and four hits in four innings, walking six and striking out three with three wild pitches.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (18) looks to the outfield after giving up a two-run home run to San Diego Padres Manny Machado during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in San Diego. (AP PhotoDenis Poroy)
Seattle’s Evan White homered off Pierce Johnson with one out in the eighth, his sixth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: Activated Tommy Pham from the 10-day IL and optioned Jorge Oña to the alternate training site. Pham had been out since fracturing his left hamate bone on Aug. 16 and had surgery. He started at DH.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Chris Paddack delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in San Diego. (AP PhotoDenis Poroy)
UP NEXT
Mariners: LHP Justus Sheffield (3-3, 4.06 ERA) is scheduled to make his ninth start of the season on Saturday night and his first career start against San Diego.
Padres: RHP Mike Clevinger (3-2, 3.10) is scheduled to make his fourth start since coming over from Cleveland in a blockbuster trade on Aug. 31.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in San Diego. (AP PhotoDenis Poroy)
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San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. throws to first base on a single hit by Seattle Mariners' Evan White during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in San Diego. White was safe at first base. (AP PhotoDenis Poroy)